The BBC debate - round 4

This article was typed a few weeks ago, and then lost due to a computer problem. My apologies to Peter. Although written as an article, I feel it covers our debate points reasonably well.)

At this stage of my debate with Peter and his friends at saveourbbc.net , I want to go on record with a genuine expression of admiration. Firstly as Peter has been nothing but friendly and courteous to me during our communication and secondly as he and his group have stayed true to their beliefs at a difficult time.

Anyone can be amicable with someone who shares the same political vision. It's easy to rally to any cause which is the fashion of the day. To do either under adversarial circumstances, however, requires integrity and commitment.

It doesn't help when the cause you rally to seems intent on making life difficult, either. I know this from experience and I'm willing to bet that over the last fortnight or so, saveourbbc members have suffered those palm-against-forehead slapping moments of utter bafflement at the way the BBC has executed its political campaign to save itself.

It started - as so many moments of heartbreak do - with a letter. A group of BBC affiliates (actors, scriptwriters, etc.) allegedly took it upon themselves to pen a collective communique to the government, warning that "a diminished BBC is a diminished Britain”.

Does that seem like a remarkable spontaneous statement of admiration and value? It would, except that it was later revealed that several signatories had actually been approached by BBC Director Danny Cohen and asked to write. Not only does that put the “a diminished BBC is a diminished Britain" statement into its truly delusional, stunningly arrogant place, it also makes for a blatant breach of the BBC trust's code of conduct. The independent, impartial news body attempting to lobby government policy.

That may have been the biggest blow and certainly the greatest faux pas of Auntie's campaign, but it wasn't the most telling. That trophy was saved for an article in the Guardian (a very left wing paper with low circulation, the most subscribed to at licence-payer expense at the Beeb) by former comedian Lenny Henry. Henry - who has seen very low coverage for at least ten years and found little exposure outside BBC circles - actually pens his headline with a blasphemous comment before offered the warning: "No BBC, No me" without a hint of irony or comedy. In his missive, he reminisced on his BBC days before going on to argue: "No BBC, no Young Ones, No Blackadder" etc.

The article was telling not only for exposing yet another example of staggering self-importance but also for its logical flaws. Henry supposes that the late Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmonson (of classic comedy 'The Young Ones') would be unheard of but for Auntie, ditto for Blackadder, Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Fry and so on. In fact, all of said actors and shows have found fame through other channels, because their talent shines through. Henry on the other hand, has fared less well outside licence-fee funded exposure. His other argument in the article - that the BBC should encourage selection based on ethnic minority backgrounds - may be well intended, but I and perhaps others believe that talent and attitude should be a stronger basis of anyone's selection and licence-funding, rather than ethnicity.

What these two incidents really expose is a political body in its death throes. As a resident of South East Asia, I've followed the downfall of many a corrupt political body and I've noticed stages of the cycle. First comes flat denial of any wrongdoing, then self-promotion, then threats then self-pity.

Now whether the BBC is politically active or morally corrupt is something Peter and I may disagree on, but the similarity in Auntie's response is striking. With the news that the government will no longer subsidise free licence fees for pensioners now confirmed, Auntie is on the ropes with a 600 million hit, the responding jabs have at best failed to connect and at worst done further harm. It's not a good time to be in the BBC's corner but Peter and his friends clearly believe there is reason to fight on. For that, they deserve admiration and respect.