This is taken from Broadcast:


Patten: BBC not perfect, but best of British
3 May, 2011
By Catherine Neilan

Lord Patten has sent a rousing email to BBC staff, marking his first day as chairman of the Trust.

Acknowledging that the corporation is “not perfect”, Patten insisted the case for the BBC is “as strong - maybe even more so - in the digital age as it was 90 years ago”. He said it was “a great example of the best of British”.

Patten added: “It is faced with some tough challenges, producing even higher quality programmes within a budget that is as constrained as everyone else’s.[But] I am sure that the BBC can get better and better, producing excellent programmes for less than the daily cost of a postage stamp.”

The former governor of Hong Kong, who is holding a Q&A session with staff later today, continued: “I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on the Trust, with Mark Thompson and his team and with everyone across the organisation to safeguard the quality, character and independence of the BBC so that it makes as distinguished a contribution to the digital age as it did to that of analogue broadcasting.”

Patten takes on the role from Sir Michael Lyons, who officially stepped down on 30 April. He was confirmed in the position by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport select committee, following a grilling over his outside business interests and political background.



Lord Patten’s email to staff

Dear All,

As I take up my post as Chairman of the BBC Trust, I want to share some first thoughts on how I see the BBC and its role in our national life.

I believe passionately in public service broadcasting.  The case for it is as strong - maybe even more so – in the digital age as it was 90 years ago.

And I also believe that the BBC is a great example of the best of British, a broadcasting organisation whose quality and integrity are unique around the world.

The BBC provides wonderful content on radio, television and online, and is at the cutting edge of technology.  Our mission to inform, educate and entertain is as relevant today as it has ever been.

It’s not perfect.  Which organisation is?  And it is faced with some tough challenges, producing even higher quality programmes within a budget that is as constrained as everyone else’s.

I am sure that the BBC can get better and better, producing excellent programmes for less than the daily cost of a postage stamp.

I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on the Trust, with Mark Thompson and his team and with everyone across the organisation to safeguard the quality, character and independence of the BBC so that it makes as distinguished a contribution to the digital age as it did to that of analogue broadcasting.

It is a privilege to join you in such an important endeavour.  I hope you can find the time to watch my question and answer session on the ringmain this afternoon where I will say more about all of this.

Lord Patten

Chairman, BBC Trust