A group of BBC World Service journalists have warned that cuts to the BBC’s international service could ‘facture its core identity”.
The comments come in written evidence published by the parliamentary foreign affairs committee. The evidence discusses the recent announcement by the BBC to appoint “six regional directors to oversee output in its devolved regional offices abroad… [replacing] a number of management positions in London”.
The group argues that locating language services in regions “runs the risk of them becoming more parochial in outlook” and “potentially easier to close down”. Previously, the evidence argues, this has put “staff at risk of increased pressure from repressive governments”
“While we understand the severe budgetary pressures facing the BBC, the rush to rapidly implement these changes could easily give rise to a series of unfortunate perceptions: the first is that the current leadership wishes to avoid detailed scrutiny of its proposals by Parliament”.
It adds that “the second unfortunate perception is that public money intended for the World Service may be directed to projects that are of more use to other parts of the BBC. Strict safeguards must be put in place to prevent this from ever happening”.
The current and former journalists claim under-investment has meant that “live programmes and Business Daily are now relying on inexperienced freelancers to bolster the output”.
Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Dame Emily Thornberry MP, said: “The insight offered in this evidence from current and former BBC journalists paints a troubling picture of the gradual erosion of the World Service.
“The US’ decision to dismantle the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe will inevitably create an information vacuum, one that other states, such as Russia and China, will be more than willing to fill with disinformation and propaganda.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “We welcome the Foreign Affairs Committee’s recognition of the importance of the BBC World Service’s journalism, which reaches an growing audience across the world. We are immensely proud of the history of the World Service but in order to provide the best possible service, in a fast-changing media environment and within a constrained budget, for the millions who rely on our impartial news, we are making some internal structural changes. These will improve the working lives of colleagues around the world, ensuring they are managed in their own regions, rather than from London.”
