Letter: YOUR SHOUT - Let the BBC fend for itself

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Oct 23, 2007

Byline: ALAN SIMPSON

IT SEEMS incredible that a company that is bankrolled year upon year by every household in the land to the tune of pounds 135 each, and rising, is in severe financial trouble and is in the process of cutting thousands of jobs to keep its head above water.

However, this is no ordinary company, this is the BBC: once and perhaps still the envy of the world with regards to its honesty and fairness, and a massive provider of quality television that is sold all over the planet.

For decades now, it has without fail, continued to bite the hand that feeds it, - that of the beleaguered licence payer, for whom it constantly treats like a beloved wealthy uncle with bottomless pockets.

Despite this, it blatantly continues to go cap in hand to the Government for a hike in the licence fee. For all its dire straits, it continues to write out Lottery-sized cheques to its so-called top presenters.

How can any company, let alone one paid for by you and me, justify one man, as in the case of Jonathan Ross, pictured, being deemed to be irreplaceable and paid a staggering pounds 6m per year to secure his services.

Why is it that the BBC feels the need to pour good money down the drain to fund a 24-hour news channel when Sky is providing one for nothing on Free view?

Years ago, when asked why the BBC shouldn't be self-supporting and let advertising pay for its output, they sniffed and proclaimed there wasn't enough revenue out there to accommodate both ITV and the BBC. What utter nonsense. Since then Channel Four, Five and Sky have all broadcast 24-hour telly funded largely by adverts without any major disaster ensuing. The truth is that the BBC has been breastfed by the public for so long, it has forgotten about the harsh reality of running a company that fights for every order. Until someone in high places cuts the purse strings once and for all the BBC will never grow up.

ALAN SIMPSON, Wallsend.

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