Anna Sabine MP speaks in support of the BBC during Charter Renewal debate
Anna Sabine MP speaks in support of the BBC during Charter Renewal debate
Anna Sabine, Liberal Democrat MP for Frome and East Somerset, has spoken strongly in support of the BBC during a debate on the future of the BBC and its upcoming Charter Renewal.
Referencing the Liberal Democrats’ long-standing support for the BBC as a publicly funded, impartial public service broadcaster Anna highlighted the vital role it plays in the UK’s media landscape.
Drawing on both personal experience and wider public value, she emphasised the BBC’s importance as a shared national institution. She argued that, like other public services, the BBC provides collective benefit that goes beyond individual usage and should continue to be supported accordingly.
A central focus of Anna’s contribution was the need to protect the BBC’s independence during Charter Renewal. She called for sustainable, long-term funding settlements to safeguard the broadcaster from political interference and warned against political appointments to the BBC Board, stressing the importance of maintaining public trust in independent media.
Anna also underlined the BBC’s role as a cornerstone of the UK’s creative industries, noting its economic contribution and support for diverse programming and emerging talent. She highlighted the importance of BBC Radio 6 Music in championing new and alternative artists, as well as the value of the BBC’s apprenticeship schemes in developing future talent across the creative sector.
Anna agreed with concerns raised by others in the industry about the wider consequences of undermining the BBC, emphasising that weakening the BBC would have knock-on effects across the entire media ecosystem.
She also spoke about the critical role of the BBC World Service at a time of growing global instability and disinformation, raising concerns about past funding instability and pressing the Government to commit to properly supporting the World Service so it can continue its vital work reaching audiences around the world.
Addressing the future of BBC funding, Anna made clear that the Liberal Democrats oppose moving to a subscription model, arguing that this would undermine the BBC’s universality and public value. She called for stable licence fee funding until the end of the current Charter in 2027 and for equivalent public funding beyond that point, alongside greater transparency and independence in setting future licence fee levels.
Summing up her remarks, Anna said:
“The BBC is one of Britain’s greatest sources of soft power and is trusted around the world for its independence and accuracy. It helps defend democratic values and Britain’s global standing, and it needs our support."
