The cuts that can kill

• Increase image
• View all images

In taking an axe to factual budgets, the BBC is threatening shows only it can make, says Lisa Campbell.

'Bringing the world to the UK and the UK to the world' is a BBC obligation for the next 10 years, as set out in the royal charter. It seems the BBC has more than a passing disregard for royalty at present.

The cuts it is planning in factual are so at odds with the spirit of the charter and the very essence of what the BBC should be about it is quite alarming.

When its mission as a PSB includes 'promoting education and learning' and 'stimulating creativity and cultural excellence' how can cuts to flagship brands such as Horizon, Imagine, Timewatchand Storyvilleeven be on the table?

The move to potentially halve the Storyvillebudget sounds the death knell for the documentary strand, according to those close to it. As we reported last week, it has sparked a campaign to save it - attracting the backing of film-makers, commissioners, viewers and producers internationally, and this week has 1,300 signatures on its online petition.

Storyvillehas proved to be a stylish and eclectic way of telling some truly compelling stories from around the world. It has covered everything from the vigorous training methods inflicted on Chinese circus children to the recent critically acclaimed TV Junkie about a once-famous US reporter turned crack addict.

It also attracts directors from both ends of the spectrum, from Spike Lee and his award-winning documentary on Hurricane Katrina, to film-makers under 30. But it has other important benefits which lend more weight to its need for protection.

It allows first-time film-makers to work alongside established names to learn their craft - there are few other opportunities like it and ultimately it allows films to get made that would never normally see the light of day.

Even though it may put up only limited funding, the power of the brand internationally is such that it attracts co-production funding. Without the BBC on board, it's claimed that will no longer happen.

The BBC says no decisions have been made, which means that the campaign at least has some chance of success. Whatever its decision, the reality is that cuts are necessary, but there are cuts that can wound - Horizonand Imaginemay well be in that camp - and there are cuts that can kill. The BBC needs to make sure it does not do the latter to programmes that only it is capable of producing.

• On the subject of genres under threat, it's good to see Pact announce plans for a Children's Content Credit (see link below) This is a sensible short to medium-term solution which should help ensure kids TV isn't already dead by the time regulators and Parliament produce their own recommendations.

Lisa Campbell is the editor of Broadcast