Letter to the Clerk of the Committee from
the Director of the BBC World Service
I enclose BBC World Service's written evidence
for the Committee's Inquiry into the FCO Annual Report. It is
in two parts: the first part is a summary of BBC World Service
activity over the year, and the second part is a summary of BBC
World Service's strategy and vision to 2010, which focuses on
major changes to be formally announced on 25 October 2005 following
full approval by the BBC Board of Governors last week.
In preparation for the Committee's hearing on
the FCO Annual Report 2003-04, the World Service sent members
a briefing on its SR04 submission, which included a separate bid
for funding to establish an Arabic television service.
The Committee will be aware that the bid for
extra funds for Arabic television was unsuccessful and the World
Service was asked to look at ways of funding it through re-prioritisation.
This work has been ongoing throughout the year;
during this period, there have been two other major public exercises
which have contributed to our strategic thinking:
— In March 2005, the DCMS published
its Green Paper on BBC Charter renewal, A Strong BBC Independent
of Government. This included the recommendations that the
World Service should explore how it could face up to the arrival
of satellite TV in many markets; and that it should consider reducing
its portfolio of languages, particularly in Central and Eastern
Europe.
— And, as you know, at the beginning
of 2005, a Review of Public Diplomacy, led by Lord Carter of Coles,
was established. BBC World Service welcomed the opportunity to
provide information to the review. The review team is shortly
to report, and is expected to echo the Green Paper in proposing
that the language portfolio should be carefully scrutinised. It
is also expected to recommend that the World Service should continue
to exploit new technologies, services and platforms, and should
respond more quickly to changing geopolitical circumstances.
Both of these developments have reinforced the
BBC's own conviction that a far-reaching, radical strategy is
needed to ensure that the World Service can retain its pre-eminence
in a multimedia world.
The second attached paper sets out the main
elements of the BBC World Service's strategy to 2010, with specific
financial plans through 2007-08. It lays out the strategic principles
and priorities that will guide the changes in activities, and
details the areas of new investment. It also describes the reprioritisation
of activities that will be necessary to deliver this exciting
vision.
The paper was endorsed by the BBC Board of Governors
on 20 October. Consultations have also been held with the FCO
about the proposed changes. The Foreign Secretary has given written
approval, as he is obliged to do under the Broadcasting Agreement,
for the proposed investment in Arabic TV and the proposed service
reductions.
Nigel Chapman
24 October 2005
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