Lords begin investigation into the BBC Charter Renewal
7 July 2015
On Tuesday 7 July, the House of Lords' Communications Committee starts its new inquiry into the BBC, when it will question leading industry experts.
- Parliament TV: Watch the BBC Charter Renewal evidence session
- Inquiry: BBC Charter Renewal: public purposes and licence fee
- Select Committee on Communications
Background
These will be the first two evidence sessions in the Committee's inquiry, which is investigating the existing public purposes of the BBC. It will be considering the continued relevance of the purposes, and looking at whether there is a better way to set the level of funding whilst still protecting the BBC's independence.
Witnesses
Tuesday 7 July, Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster
At 3.30pm
- Claire Enders, Chief Executive of Enders Analysis
- Steve Hewlett, Guardian columnist and presenter of the BBC Radio 4 Media Show
At 4.30pm
- Professor Des Freedman, Professor of Media and Communication Studies at Goldsmiths College, University of London
- Dr Damian Tambini, Senior Lecturer at the London School of Economics
Possible questions
The witnesses will face questions from the Committee on a number of issues including:
- the history of the BBC's public purposes: why they were designed and if they are widely understood
- the relevance of the current purposes as they are, the benefits and drawbacks of the system, and any comparative international examples
- how the BBC fits into the wider public service broadcasting ecosystem
- whether the current system for setting the licence fee impacts on the independence of the BBC, and what - if any - alternative mechanisms exist for setting the fee.
Further information
Image: PA