All change: Â鶹Éç Trust head Michael Lyons discusses World Service future
For listeners to the World Service – and those of us who work for it – this has been a pretty dramatic week.Ìý
The British government has announced a reduction in the budget of 16% in real terms; and it has also decided that from 2014 the World Service will be funded entirely by the licence fee paid by everyone in the UK who owns a TV set.
So we’ve devoted most of this week’s programme to looking at how all this will affect you, the listeners.
You can hear Rajan talking to Sir Michael Lyons, chairman of the Â鶹Éç Trust, which is the body that governs the corporation.Ìý
Several listeners have already expressed their concerns that British licence payers might not want their money to go towards the World Service, and Rajan put this point to Sir Michael.Ìý As you’ll hear on the programme, the reply was optimistic.Ìý
We’ll look forward to hearing whether you share this optimism.
Rajan also talks to Torin Douglas, the Â鶹Éç’s media correspondent, to find out more about which programmes and services might be cut, and what the World Service will look like in the future.Ìý His view is that it will retain its distinctive tone – but that things are certainly going to be very different.
And there’s an interview with the former head of the British Army, Sir Richard Dannatt, who shares with us his views on the importance of the network’s presence in conflict zones around the world as a source of factual news.
Cathy Packe is the Producer, Over To You
Ìý Over To You is your chance to have your say about the Â鶹Éç World Service and its programmes. It airs at 00:40, 03:40 and 12:40 every Sunday (GMT). Ìý Ìý Ìý
Comment number 1.
At 31st Oct 2010, Barbara Brooks wrote:The British public will resent having their license fees used for the World Service in such a time of austerity unless they know that the World Service listeners are contributing as well. Please facilitate a way for the public to donate to the World Service budget specifically. I would donate tomorrow if I could.
I object to having advertising for the World Service broadcasts, but I think having a World Service Store on the website offering CD's, DVD's, books etc related to the Â鶹Éç broadcasts would be a great idea. For example, probably lots of history teachers would like to buy documentary DVD's, and some would like to own Â鶹Éç dramas from the past.
The Â鶹Éç World Service not only offers the finest quality news broadcast, but also enhances British prestige in the world. Shortchanging the World Service will have negative consequences to Britain's stature among nations.
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Comment number 2.
At 31st Oct 2010, db wrote:Please, please find a way NOT to have advertising on the World Service.
The WS is so wonderful to listen to and so important.
This seems like such a sad decision for all.
I am sure that Rupert Murdock, and other media companies and moguls, are overjoyed by decision.
NPR and "Public" broadcasting in the US has been ruined by all the corporate money and advertising it has forced to use as funding.
I am more than willing to pay a fee or contribution.
Again, please, please no advertising on the Â鶹Éç world service.
DB
PS I fear soon absolutely everything in the world will have a logo or advertisement on it. And all news will be overseen by corporate interests.
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Comment number 3.
At 6th Jan 2011, Beate Terfloth wrote:As a Berlin resident for many years I enjoyed listening to the Â鶹Éç World Service on FM. The change of frequency that happened during the last year has made that impossible. By clutching the antenna of the Radio one may get bits and pieces of the transmission. As soon as you let go you loose the Â鶹Éç.
I challenge you to listen to the World Service on FM 94.8. It is impossible. Please go back to the former frequency!
Thankyou,
yours
Beate Terfloth
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Comment number 4.
At 25th Jan 2011, BIGHEAD123 wrote:YOU CAN ACHIEVE WITH RADIO WHAT BILLIONS SPENT ON WAR HAS FAILED TO DO.
I AM UTTERLY SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT YOU WILL BE CUTTING THE CARIBBEAN ENGLISH LANGUAGE SERVICE.
PLEASE I BEG YOU TO RECONSIDER.
THE MAJORITY OF THOSE WHO LISTEN TO THE SERVICE DONT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INETRNET AND DEPEND ON RADIO BROADCAST.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT MANY PARTS REGIONS, ARE DECADES BEHIND IN THERE PERCEPTION OF SEXUALLITY, FREEDOM OF SPEACH, DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES.
TO CUT THE SERVICE NOW WOULD BE TANTAMOUNT TO SLOWING OUR MARCH TO GREATER JUSTICE AND FREEDOM.
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