Jonathan Sumption

Like almost everyone, I find the BBC infuriating. Its news coverage is sometimes tendentiously selective. It frequently sacrifices rigorous analysis for emotional impact. It pursues the goal of balance only within a relatively narrow range of respectable or conventional opinions.

Why then do I deplore the culture secretary’s recent announcement about the BBC’s future funding? First, because it seems likely that there is an ulterior motive behind the bland assertion that savings are required at a time of financial hardship. The government has had it in for the BBC for a long time, because it views it as a powerful source of alternative values to its own. The BBC tries to reflect the cultural instincts of the population at large. This is vexing for people like me who abhor many things about the zeitgeist, but mine is only one point of view. As for governments, they are here today and gone tomorrow. It is inherently undesirable that a national broadcaster should share the cultural instincts of any particular government.

Second, the BBC has an unmatched range and depth of coverage of current affairs. It employs more journalists in more countries with more specialities than anyone else. Its standards of accuracy occasionally slip, but are on the whole impressive. Whatever one’s opinions, as a source of raw information it has few equals.

Third, the BBC is an outstanding broadcaster of sport, drama, music, literature, history, education and general entertainment. Much of this is only possible because the BBC’s financial model does not require it always to aim at maximising its audience or pleasing any particular constituency.

Defunding is an act of vandalism against an institution that enjoys strong public support and is respected internationally for its independence. Many countries have envied the international reach of the BBC and its success as a cultural ambassador for this country, and have tried to emulate it. None has succeeded. This kind of reputation is easy to destroy, but will be exceptionally difficult to recreate. People will be thankful for (and infuriated by) the BBC long after they have forgotten Nadine Dorries.

Jonathan Sumption is a former Supreme Court judge. He delivered the BBC Reith lectures in 2019