Now is the time to decide: what kind of BBC do you want?

This item, written by Richard Sambrook, is taken from "The Conversation", partly funded by Cardiff University.



"In one corner, we have the traditional view of public broadcasting, offered by the BBC and supporters, based on the principle of universality. This says the BBC should be for everyone, providing quality programmes for all audiences, including comedy and entertainment as well as drama, news and high arts programming......

In the other corner is a view, supported in the past by the Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, which rejects the notion of universality. It says in the digital age of plenty the BBC should no longer try to offer something to everyone. Instead, it should focus on market failure – offering only those programmes and services which the market will not provide."




Richard Sambrook is Professor of Journalism at Cardiff University, he was former Director of Global News for the BBC.

Richard left the BBC in 2010 and has no ongoing relationship with the corporation.