According to this, from "The Guardian", "BBC digital news operation must be curbed", say newspaper publishers.


The News Media Association, which represents all the major newspaper publishers except Richard Desmond’s Express group and the Financial Times, is calling on the government to implement 10 changes to the BBC’s objectives and governance.

“The BBC repeatedly seeks to portray itself as a willing partner but all too often fails to deliver,” said NMA vice-chairman Ashley Highfield, the chief executive of regional newspaper publisher Johnston Press. “The UK’s news media landscape will be best served by a BBC which genuinely collaborates with news media publishers rather than competing with them. This would make better use of the BBC’s stretched resources while allowing space for commercial news media to innovate and thrive.”


Ashley Highfield used to work for, amongst others, the BBC.

According to Wikipedia here.
In October 2000 he joined the BBC as Director of New Media & Technology.
During his tenure, Highfield oversaw a growth in the BBC's online presence from 3.5 million to 17 million users.
Highfield was appointed CEO of Johnston Press in 2011.