Tessa Jowell Appoints Philip Graf To Review The BBC's Online Services
98/03
Tessa Jowell announced today that former Trinity Mirror Chief Executive Philip Graf has been appointed to conduct a review into BBCi – on the Internet.
The review will begin with a full public consultation and will also include an assessment of the impact that BBC Online has had on the Internet market. It will feed into the forthcoming review of the BBC's Charter, which expires at the end of 2006.
Speaking to broadcasting experts at the Edinburgh Television Festival Tessa Jowell said:
"Reviews are vital to ensure that promises are kept, and that accountability is visible. There will be ample opportunity for everyone to put their case. We want to look at quality and value for money, how the online services fit with the BBC's public service remit, the services impact on competition and on the general development of the BBC's online services.
"I am confident that Philip Graf will utilize his wealth of experience within the communications industry to ensure that the review of BBC Online is both comprehensive and thorough."
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The BBC has submitted a report on BBC online to the Department for Media, Culture and Sport, which will be considered as part of the review.
Philip Graf will submit a full report to the Secretary of State, which will be published by the DCMS. He said:
"The BBC holds a unique place in our nation's cultural life and its website has been a significant part of the Internet revolution that has irrevocably altered communications in recent years. This is why I relish the opportunity to conduct this very important review. I can assure all concerned that it will be both open-minded and vigorous."
During her speech Tessa Jowell talked about the power of the best of public service broadcasting to provide the ultimate in collective popular culture, which unites generations. She said:
"Public service broadcasting serves people in their role as citizens as much as it serves them as consumers. It gives them the information that people need to understand public affairs, both to observe but also to participate if that is what they want to do.
"Public service broadcasting does this when times are quiet and the news is dull, as well as when events grip the attention and boost the ratings. And it is more than news, it is also about explanation, context, contending voices, as well as factual reporting. The market cannot be guaranteed to do this.
"Public service broadcasting also helps with identity. It speaks of who we are, of our differences and our similarities. It nurtures our national, regional, local and social identities, respecting the history and cultures that make us what we are. In a world where increasingly people feel disconnected from their past, their neighbours and sometimes even their families, PSB can provide continuity and reassurance."
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Notes to Editors
1. The terms of reference for the independent review of BBCi are as follows:
The reviewer shall:
• consider whether, in providing its online service known as BBC Online, the BBC is acting in accordance with the facts and assurances on the basis of which approval to proceed with the service was given;
• produce an assessment of the market impact of BBC Online;
• consider, in the context of the approaching review of the BBC's Charter, what the role of BBC Online might be within the BBC's overall service.
• have regard, in reaching conclusions, to:
(i) the BBC's own report on the performance of BBC Online and to any subsequent evidence provided by the Corporation;
(ii) views submitted by other organisations and individuals in response to the BBC's report or in response to the invitation to comment issued by the reviewer(s); and
(iii) any additional evidence which the reviewer(s) consider(s) it appropriate to commission;
• submit a report to the Secretary of State, in publishable form, by Spring 2004 setting out the conclusions of the review and, if appropriate, making any recommendations which the reviewer considers necessary to ensure that BBC Online is operated in accordance with the terms of the original approval.
2. All new public services are subject to an independent review around 2-3 years after they are launched. The first such review was BBC News 24, lead by Richard Lambert in 2002. Next year the BBC's digital services will be reviewed - BBC3, BBC4, CBBC and CBeebies, and the digital radio channels 1extra, BBC Asian Network, BBC6 Music, and BBC7.
3. Philip Graf joined Trinity in 1985 and became chief executive in 1993. He was promoted to chief executive of Trinity Mirror when the company merged with the Mirror Group in 1999. He resigned from Trinity Mirror in September 2002 and will take over as Chairman of the Press Standards Board of Finance, which funds the Press Complaints Commission, at the end of the year.
4. The closing date for the public consultation is on 17 November 2003.
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