Further supplementary memorandum from
the BBC World Service
Spending Review 2002 Proposals
In a changing world the media powerfully influence
and reflect public opinion and ideologies. BBC Monitoring's proposed
investments will strengthen its position as the best source of
information about media world media reporting, enabling stakeholders
(FCO, MoD, CO, BBC WS) to have a deeper understanding of world
events, vital for Britain's modern international role. Timely
and comprehensive coverage around the clock confers indispensable
competitive advantage. Global coverage is secured through the
extensive partnership with the US Foreign Broadcast Information
Service.
This major partnership has been reinforced by
the powerful new geopolitical dynamics since 11 September. Material
produced by BBC Monitoring has passed to the highest levels of
the US Government. In the UK BBCM reports have been fed directly
to COBRA at peak crisis points and its output (at appreciably
increased levels) has been warmly commended by all stakeholders.
BBC Monitoring is bidding for extra resources
in four areas where they need to maintain their reach and capability
and where there is a vital requirement for new skills and investment:
The enduring campaign to counter
terrorismadditional monitoring and collection capability
in key areas, including Afghanistan and South Asia; a new focus
on Islamic sources generally; and more effective sifting and delivery
of this material to BBCMS's users, including customised content
packages.
Coverage Improvement in Africareflecting
the increasing importance of Africa in terms of Government and
World Service priorities, extending coverage where current arrangements
are patchy.
Improving delivery and modernising
productiontwo specific, exceptional new capital investments;
developing an Internet portal interface for more effective and
flexible delivery of services and replacing BBCM's core work processing
system.
Additional resources to maintain
BBCM's key core capabilities.
Full details of these bids are contained in
BBC Monitoring's fuller bid submission which is available on request.
The overall sums are as follows:
BBCM£k | Resource Baseline
| Capital Baseline |
2003-04 Resource Bid |
2003-04 Capital
Bid
| 2004-05 Resource Bid
| 2004-05 Capital
Bid
| 2005-06 Resource Bid
| 2005-06 Capital
Bid
|
| 22,051
| 4,000 | +1,100
| +500 | +2,440
| +1,000 | +3,510
| +1,000 |
These bids are supported by all BBC Monitoring's stakeholders.
The Director of US FBIS has also written to record their strong
support for and interest in the proposals.
Alastair Campbell wrote in March to Jack Straw, copied to
Geoff Hoon and Gordon Brown, about the invaluable services provided
by Monitoring over the years. He commented "They are an enormous
resource from the Government here and overseas" and hoped
that funding would be maintained.
BBC World Service
July 2002
|