Posted on 04/12/2013 4:12:53 AM PDT by Biggirl
He done riz’ from the dead
As it happens, the BBC isn't government-funded either, other than a very small Foreign Office grant to the BBC World Service (radio). The TV Licence Fee which funds the BBC, although collected by a statutory agency, is not subject to variation by government decision, isn't part of the government's budget, and the government has no say in how the BBC chooses to spend it. The principle of complete independence of the BBC from government control was firmly established in the 1920s and 30s by its first Director-General, John Reeth, and has been fiercely upheld since (much to the occasional regret of all successive governments, of whatever party, when anti-government views are broadcast). In wartime conditions, Churchill did briefly toy with the possibility of bringing the BBC under direct government control, but wisely thought better of the idea.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.