The Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU) has launched its BBC Alternative White Paper in Parliament.
Over one hundred union members, many of whom work for the BBC, turned up to lobby MPs and Lords and ask that they consider the recommendations made in the FEU paper.
The FEU Alternative White Paper calls for the BBC to:
Maria Eagle MP, shadow secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: 'The people of this country appreciate the BBC and want to keep it doing what it is doing.
‘What it is not, is a state broadcaster in the pocket of the government of the day. It is wrong that the BBC should be used as a political football and its independence has to be protected by politicians. This Alternative White Paper is an important voice that should be taken into account when the Government produces its White Paper.’
Read the FEU white paper.
The FEU comprises Equity, the Musicians’ Union, BECTU, the National Union of Journalists, the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, the Professional Footballers’ Association and Unite.
Over one hundred union members, many of whom work for the BBC, turned up to lobby MPs and Lords and ask that they consider the recommendations made in the FEU paper.
The FEU Alternative White Paper calls for the BBC to:
- renegotiate its agreement to fund free TV licences for the over-75s, which could mean a loss of 20 per cent of its budget;
- stay independent of government interference, by extending the charter period to 11 years to take it out of the political cycle;
- have a governance structure which is not filled with government appointees and includes representatives of its staff and licence fee payers;
- provide news free of bias and maintain standards of accuracy and integrity in its journalism.
Maria Eagle MP, shadow secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: 'The people of this country appreciate the BBC and want to keep it doing what it is doing.
‘What it is not, is a state broadcaster in the pocket of the government of the day. It is wrong that the BBC should be used as a political football and its independence has to be protected by politicians. This Alternative White Paper is an important voice that should be taken into account when the Government produces its White Paper.’
Read the FEU white paper.
The FEU comprises Equity, the Musicians’ Union, BECTU, the National Union of Journalists, the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, the Professional Footballers’ Association and Unite.
