Shreds

Many papers have given a run round the big issues facing a new BBC DG - gender pay, Over-75 licences, the threat of Netflix et al, winning back trust. But the initial problem for all candidates considering entrance in the 2020 DG Stakes is their answers to two linked questions.

1) DO YOU INTEND TO DEFEND THE LICENCE FEE AT ALL COSTS ?

Candidates answering yes are thanked for their interest, and invited to proceed with their paperwork to the nearest shredder.

2) WHAT IS YOUR ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL ?

Now you're talking. Let's have a chat.

In a matter of a few comments over a few months, the Johnson administration has framed the debate, without a care for the answers - except that they want a smaller BBC, and they don't want to achieve that by simply cutting how much we pay for an annual licence. They're going to de-criminalise non-payment as fast as they can; they suspect they can bully the BBC into dropping the means test for Over-75 free licences - the smaller BBC is already on the way. 

Former Director of News James Harding, a clever man, said on Today this morning, that the universal licence fee was entirely defensible. and the debate should be about what we want the BBC be. That's not how this contest is going to start, Jim. Go straight to the shredder.