Is the BBC in urgent need of reform?

WHY is the BBC — a private company — allowed to demand money from the public? Why do I have to pay the BBC so I can watch other channels? Why can this one company demand to come into people’s homes to see if they have a TV, backed by police and courts? If the BBC is so concerned about who watches its channels, let it go private like all the other companies. I have the right to opt out of electricity, gas, even water supplies. I don’t need to have cable or internet if I don’t wish to — it’s my free choice. An even greater mystery is why the other TV channels aren’t challenging the BBC over this. There is only one logical explanation as to why this parasitic company is allowed to exist: it’s because every government needs a propaganda machine and the BBC fulfils that criteria. This is why no political party will axe the TV licence. The BBC likes to give the impression it does nobody’s bidding, but that’s not true. Look at how it’s trying to lead us to vote to stay in the EU.

GARY STEPHENSON, Wolverhampton. CULTURE Secretary John Whittingdale’s proposed changes to the BBC not only show how out of touch with normal people this Government is, but the incredibly inept business sense it has. The programmes facing the axe are popular daytime shows. His reasoning that they have run a long time, therefore need to be axed, is beyond ridiculous — and to replace them with the ‘arts’ will no doubt go down a treat with daytime viewers. I don’t think I’ve read one thing Mr Whittingdale aims to do which will do anything except finish off the BBC.

IAN BROUGHTON, Harleston, Norfolk. THE mean-spirited people who would like to abolish the TV licence and do away with the publicly funded BBC should recall the adage: you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone. The BBC isn’t perfect, but is fantastic. Abolish it, and live to regret it.

P. DAVIES, Liverpool.