IPPR calls for more regulation at the Beeb
The heads of the BBC should be made “independent” of the Corp, according to the influential Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR).
The think-tank argues the BBC needs to be more publicly accountable. At the moment, Auntie’s governors steer the broadcaster alone, without the help of Ofcom or other external regulatory bodies.
Jamie Cowling, IPPR spokesman, said: “Clearly there is a need to make the BBC governors more independent of the BBC.”
Lance Price, a former Downing Street advisor, argues the governors’ role must be reviewed in the light of Lord Hutton’s inquiry into the apparent suicide of Dr David Kelly, the BBC “mole” alleged to have spoken out against Downing Street’s “sexed up” intelligence report on Iraq, which suggested Saddam Hussein could launch weapons of mass destruction “within 45-minutes.”
The IPPR will publish its arguments in a book this week, with Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell attending its launch in Oxford on Tuesday.
The IPPR also calls for an end to the BBC’s licence fee, to be replaced with income tax-linked funding.
Gavyn Davies, the BBC’s chairman, has ruled out “major reforms” in the wake of the Lord Hutton’s report.
