Former BBC director-general issues stark warning on UK media: ‘Rome is burning’

Former BBC director-general Lord Birt has issued a stark warning: “Rome is burning”, underlining the serious threats to British public service broadcasting.

The Prime Minister’s comments were made during a House of Lords debate on the Media Green Paper, which outlines the government’s new strategic direction.

Independent cross-reviewer Lord Birt, who chaired the BBC from 1992 to 2000, said: “Frankly, Rome is burning.

“Two of the UK’s greatest, most respected and historic achievements are under threat from the globalization of media.

“A vibrant, challenging and diverse press that we have had for centuries, a unique tradition of public service broadcasting that includes Channel 4 and ITV as well as the BBC, which we have had for almost a century.

“In fact, for more than a century, we have created by these means a very effective national debating chamber and brilliantly captured our national culture, talent and talent.

“Does the Minister accept that radical measures will be needed to stop these trends?”

Responding, Culture Minister Baroness Twycross rejected the idea that “Rome is burning” but acknowledged that “we need to see the warning signs”.

He said: “The Government is fully behind the BBC as a source of news, trusted news and content, both now and in the future.

“A lot of these conversations are happening throughout the charter review process and so we are looking specifically at how we can ensure that the funding model is sustainable by being fair and affordable for households.

“And that’s one of the ways we’ve been very clear; if we can get sustainable funding, if we can make sure we stand out online as well as on television screens, then it should go a long way towards ensuring a strong future for our press and media.

“I would probably be a little hesitant to say that Rome burned.

“There is so much good practice out there that we should be celebrating, but I appreciate that we need to see the warning signs of what could be ahead.”

The government’s proposals include plans to highlight trusted news sources on social media, as well as reforming public service media in the UK and measures to help providers attract audiences online.

According to the plans in the Green Book, Watch This Space: A Strategic Direction for UK MediaSocial media companies and video sharing platforms are expected to prioritize content from broadcasters such as BBC, ITV and Channel 4, as well as regional broadcasters STV and s4C.

The government says this is crucial to combating misinformation, especially in times of social unrest or crisis.

The document also outlines plans for a move to internet-based TV in 2034 or 2044, with on-demand rights for major sporting events added to the Listed Events Regime and access to the World Cup and Olympics made free.

The government will consult on the proposals.

Lord Young of Acton, founder and director of the Free Speech League, sought reassurance that the government’s proposals were not “a Trojan horse forcing some news publishers to bend the knee to a state-sanctioned press regulator”.

The Tory MP said: “The green paper does not propose that the prominence regime should be limited to public service media, including public broadcasters. It also suggests that it should be extended to news broadcasters.

“If some news publishers are to be included in the spotlight regime by granting various privileges, social media companies will have to promote the content of these news publishers, how will these news publishers be selected?

“So can the Minister reassure the House that this is not a Trojan horse forcing some news publishers to bend the knee to a state-approved press regulator like Impress?”

Responding, Lady Twycross said: “That’s why we have a consultation period running until 31 August, so that we can work with interested parties and involve them as part of the consultation to determine the criteria we use.

“We will determine reliable news provider criteria in an open and transparent manner, in order to protect media freedom.

“This isn’t about censorship or people having a different perspective.

“It’s about making sure everyone can understand what the general public is more likely to be high-quality content, and in fact we can too, and that will rank higher in the search mechanism.”