‘Disastrous privatisation of Channel 4’: Bectu responds to Media Bill in Queen’s Speech

Philippa Childs, head of broadcasting union Bectu, responding to the contents of the proposed Media Bill in the Queen’s Speech, said:

“This is the next step towards a disastrous privatisation of Channel 4, a much-loved and entirely self-sustaining public service broadcaster. Channel 4 supports a thriving independent production sector, creating tens of thousands of jobs across the country, and investing 100% of its £1 billion revenue back into the organisation, at zero-cost to the taxpayer.

“There could not be a worse time to introduce further uncertainty for the creative industries, who were among the hardest hit by the pandemic, and continue to face a chronic skills shortage.

“Pursuing plans to privatise such a successful and uniquely British institution, in the face of united industry opposition, is nothing short of cultural vandalism. MPs and Peers across the political spectrum must strongly oppose this destruction of a cherished cultural asset.”

The Queen’s Speech 2022 background briefing notes are available here.

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