The government is giving Ofcom new powers to oversee the BBC’s online content – as well as TV and radio.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer says the broadcaster ‘needs to adapt’ or risk ‘losing the public’s trust’ – with some audience groups, including disabled viewers, feeling under-represented.
It follows the Mid Term Review into the governance and regulatory arrangements at the public service broadcaster introduced in the most recent Royal Charter in 2017.
Media observers see the move as another attack by the government designed to undermine the BBC, spurred on by right leaning broadcasters and publications.
The government wants audiences to be given “greater certainty” that complaints about BBC television, radio and on demand content are dealt with fairly through greater scrutiny of the complains process.
“The Government wants to see a strong, independent BBC that can thrive in the years to come as a major contributor to the nation’s successful creative industries,” said Ms Frazer.
“In a rapidly changing media landscape the BBC needs to adapt or risk losing the trust of the audiences it relies on. Following constructive conservations with the BBC and Ofcom, we have recommended reforms that I believe will improve accountability while boosting public confidence in the BBC’s ability to be impartial and respond to concerns raised by licence fee payers.”
According to the DCMS, impartiality continues to be an ongoing issue for audiences, with concerns about the broadcaster’s objectivity making up the majority of complaints about the BBC’s editorial content. The review also highlights a lack of public confidence in the way the BBC currently handles complaints.
Ofcom’s oversight will also be extended extended to parts of the BBC’s online public services, including the BBC News website.
A BBC spokesperson said: “The Mid-Term Review was designed to look at the BBC’s governance and regulation. We’re pleased the Government’s findings reflect that overall these are working well.
“With regard to the BBC’s impartiality, no other organisation takes its commitment to impartiality more seriously. We have well-established and detailed plans to sustain and further improve standards. We know this matters to audiences and the BBC continues to be the number one source for trusted news, with the highest scores for impartiality and accuracy.”
The BBC has held a number of discussions over the Mid-Term Review, during which it proposed and implemented a number of reforms, including strengthening its complaints procedures.
