The question of the BBC’s legitimacy as a tax-funded, public broadcasting service has been frequently asked over the past few years, especially by this government. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this, considering that it is us, the British people, who pay for it. Yet, I think the government has got it wrong regarding their treatment of the BBC, with worrying implications. On 18th January, Nadine Dorries, Culture Secretary, announced that the BBC’s licence fee will be frozen over the next two years – meaning it will not rise with inflation. With inflation at a 6 year high of 6% or more, this leaves a £285 million funding gap for the BBC, which is huge. Her argument was that the raise in licence fee could not be justified due to the cost-of-living crisis, yet the government’s rhetoric (which should not be underestimated in importance) also very much portrays a distaste for this sacred institution
