Cameron alliance with Murdoch could threaten BBC
Conservative leader David Cameron has promised to abolish broadcasting regulator Ofcom and scale back the BBC if he is elected. But why has he chosen to launch such an attack on the broadcaster and the regulation authority that strives to ensure the maintenance of impartiality?
“It shouldn’t be making policy, it shouldn’t have it’s own communications department, the head of Ofcom is paid almost half a million pounds.” David Cameron on Ofcom
Many would have you believe that it’s Cameron’s perceived ‘cosy’ relationship with media tycoon Rupert Murdoch that has led him to make such statements.
Certainly the evidence is there to suggest that this could well be the case. Cameron’s appointment of former News of the World editor Andy Coulson allowed him an opportunity to court the attentions of Murdoch.
The Murdoch-owned Sun newspaper then threw their political weight behind the Conservative party on September 30 2009. The headline “Labour’s lost it” was followed up with editorial comment stating “The Sun believes – and prays – that Conservative leadership can put the great back into Great Britain”.
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This support has been followed up by Cameron agreeing with complaints from Murdoch’s son, James, that Ofcom is unaccountable and frequently intervenes, thus stifling creativity.
Whilst a commitment to impartiality and balance can restrict broadcasting content, the thought of a completely unregulated and unrestricted UK version of Fox News being broadcast at the expense of balanced BBC output is truly terrifying.
Great minds think alike, Mr Montague, I’ve just been blogging on the same subject. Looks like you’ve managed to remain a lot less opinionated than me about it, but I note we both use the word ‘terrifying’.
I don’t know about you but I started thinking about this when Sophie Chalk mentioned it in our recent seminar with One World Media.
There’s an article about it in the NUJ magazine this month too, which just arrived on my doorstep. There’s undoubtedly concern amongst journalists about a Tory government. Even if Labour get in, there will be cuts and top slicing at the BBC.
But the serious threat to impartiality is this apparent alliance between Cameron and News Corp. Just imagine, if we all vote blue we could end up with news as ‘fair and balanced’ as Fox.
Would you agree that impartiality isn’t always important- e.g. in any case with a notorious paedophile?? Any press organisation should do nothing else but target this person for their actions!
(of course I am well trained and will never do this!)