Department for Culture Media and Sport

bbc & other public service broadcasting

The BBC's activities are governed by a Royal Charter which sets out what it is for, what it does and how it does it. An accompanying Framework Agreement recognises its editorial independence and sets out its public obligations in detail.


The new Charter and Agreement took full effect on 1 January 2007.

Every 10 years we review these obligations. The 1996 Charter and Agreement expired on 31 December 2006.

For three years (2003-06), we undertook a major public consultation to help decide the details of the new Charter and Agreement.

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