Received from: NUJ, Writers’ Guild of Great Britain
Composing motions 71 and 72
Congress notes the grave threats facing public service broadcasters (PSBs). In an era of disinformation and corporate media dominance, universally accessible PSBs are fundamental to upholding democracy. Yet they have been undermined by decades of interference and underinvestment.
Congress recognises that properly funded PSBs support the economy and creative industries. Despite a 30 per cent real-terms budget cut since 2010, the BBC serves 94 per cent of adults every month and generates £6.7bn each year, engaging thousands of freelancers and employing 20,000 staff.
In the past 10 years, we have seen sustained cuts to, and attacks against, the BBC. This summer, the corporation announced it was cutting 550 jobs as part of a longer-term plan to slash £500m from its budget. More cuts are due to follow.
Congress is alarmed by BBC management’s plans to cut around 2,000 jobs – and the impact this will have on workers, programming, and communities across the country. STV has also recently cut jobs and local programming, while workers at ITV are concerned by the implications of a potential takeover by US giant Comcast.
Congress expresses solidarity with BBC workers and support for the NUJ’s ‘Back the BBC’ campaign. The renewal of the BBC Charter offers an opportunity to secure the resources and reforms the BBC needs to provide a quality public service, free from political or commercial interference.
Congress instructs the General Council to:
i. sound the alarm on BBC cuts and call for urgent government intervention
ii. urge the government to protect and invest in all public service broadcasting
iii. campaign to generate public support for workers and the BBC, amplifying calls by the NUJ and other BEAU unions throughout charter renewal – including sustainable funding, gold standard employment rights, worker representation on the BBC board and an end to political appointments
iv. support union campaigns against job cuts at the BBC, to protect content and to secure the long-term financial security and editorial independence of our oldest public service broadcaster.
Mover: National Union of Journalists
Seconder: Writers’ Guild of Great Britain