Government ‘fully committed’ to World Service

Media minister Stephanie Peacock has said the government is “fully committed” to the World Service ahead of the decision on its future funding at the end of the month.

Addressing the Lords communications and digital committee today (15 October) for the first time, Peacock said she shares the concerns of the committee about Tim Davie’s warning yesterday that cuts to the World Service have helped Russia and China push propaganda abroad. State-funded media are investing more heavily in countries where World Service budgets have been cut in recent years.

“It is important to state that as a government we are fully committed to the World Service, and we see the benefit, and we recognise the pressures it has been under in recent times,” said Peacock.

“Across the board there are challenges here, whether it’s the World Service or local news provision and the charter review provides an opportunity to explore all these issues really thoroughly.”

Broadcast has since learned the decision on whether the government will fully fund the international news division will be given on 30 October, in line with the Autumn Budget.

Peacock, who has been an MP for Barnsley South since 2017, went on to say she and culture secretary Lisa Nandy both want to see the BBC “thrive in the future”, insisting neither of them yet have a preferred option for a future funding model for the broadcaster, and no options are off the table.

“We have very open minds because we recognise what is at stake here. We’re keeping everything open,” she said.

“The BBC is a huge asset to his country and underpins our creative economy – it doesn’t get everything right, but it does a good job of covering length and breadth of country – particularly in its local output.”

Ofcom defence

The minister also defended Ofcom against accusations it is operating a ‘two tier’ impartiality system by allowing broadcasters like GB News more flexibility than their public service counterparts.

“It is for Ofcom to decide how to hold people to account and use tools at their disposal,” she said.

“Within the guidance of being an independent regulator they have the flexibility to implement their rules and guidance and have sanctions at their disposal should they wish [to use them].”

Ofcom has faced criticism of its handling of GB News’ breaches of the broadcasting code, with former Ofcom execs Stewart Purvis and Chris Banatvala criticising the regulator’s freedom of expression argument as a reason to provide more flexibility for the right-leaning broadcaster.