TV’s John: Failing to pay licence fee shouldn’t be a crime
FAILING to pay the TV licence fee should be decriminalised, former
BBC newsman John Sergeant says. Personally, I would be in favour of
The current annual £ 157.50 fee freezing the present arrangements should be frozen and the BBC should and forcing the BBC to earn more by be “forced” to earn more by other means.” other means. He praised new director- general
His comments come as the Tim Davie who has agreed that Rule Government is set to announce its Britannia could be sung in The Last response to a consultation on decrimNight Of The Proms after a row about inalising licence- fee evasion. its words. The BBC has “enormous
The BBC has warned that strengths, strengths,” he said. “It is the most switching to a civil system trusted n news source in the instead would cost the countr country. It has no political broadcaster more than an axe t to grind.” £ 200million a year. T The former chief
Writing in Radio po political correspondTimes, Sergeant en ent, who has said: “Despite the ap appeared on Strictly likely loss in reveCome Dancing, said nue, the BBC he was “fearful of should also accept ste stepping out of line” that failing to pay the e at t the corporation. licence fee is no longer er H He recalled a news a criminal offence.” edit editor telling a reporter
The BBC has said the aski asking for a pay rise: current system to “It’s much colder tackle TV licence evaPraise... Praise new chiefTim chief Tim Davie outside.” sion is effective “with very few peoOn the BBC’s plans to restrict preple ever going to prison”. senters’ use of social media, he said:
But Sergeant said alternative fund“You don’t need to parade these poliing models should be considered. cies in front of the public as a form of
“The system itself has to change. virtue signalling – just instruct those The licence fee, as presently constiinvolved. And if they don’t like it, tell tuted, now commands insufficient them: ‘ It’s much colder outside’.” public support. All reasonable alternatives should be considered.