Rachel Corp: Public service broadcasting is vital in these troubled times

The events at the beginning of this month have been distressing for those who value a cohesive society. As someone with three decades of experience in public service broadcasting, the violent scenes since the Southport attack underscore the importance of protecting news produced for the UK’s public service broadcasters in the UK.

In these tense times, our newsrooms play a crucial role in delivering accurate information, eye-witness reporting from the ground, verifying online content, and deciphering the flood of data, even amid threats of violence. The recent harassment of journalists is alarming. Reporters wearing PPE, being chased, threatened, and having equipment smashed highlight the urgent need for government action to protect their right to report freely.

Our teams are driven by a commitment to truth, accuracy, and impartiality, a job that is made harder by the increasing anti-mainstream media sentiment on social platforms. Yet, our audience continues to trust us. This trust was evident when Channel 4 News’s coverage from 4 August topped YouTube UK trending, with 1.1 million views, surpassing giants like MrBeast, Minecraft and the Olympics. No other news content has ranked in the top 50, underscoring the continued relevance of accurate broadcast-style news on social media, even as traditional TV viewership declines.

Despite much debate over social media companies’ inaction on misinformation, solutions remain scarce. The UK’s public service broadcasting system, regulated for impartiality by Ofcom, has long provided reliable and essential information, a counterbalance to partial commentary elsewhere. It aspires to offer the public a balanced view of the world, upholding high standards through legislative commitments.

While social media amplifies diverse voices, it must also ensure access to trustworthy information. ITN advocates for an Ofcom-administered kitemark, using the Online Safety Act as a template, to compel major platforms to highlight reliable news sources. This would help counter misleading content online and ensure quality journalism remains easier for audiences to find.

The regulations placed on broadcasters protect audiences and guarantee high-quality content. We must not let these protections be eroded because social media platforms don’t always take accountability for the content shown on them. Just as television was acknowledged for its ability to reach and influence mass audiences, policymakers must similarly address the immense power of the platforms in this new media landscape. The comments by Elon Musk claiming that “civil war is inevitable” in the wake of rioting in the UK demonstrate the need for such intervention, and it is encouraging to see our new Prime Minister condemning such an inflammatory statement.

The UK’s public service broadcasting system is unique and essential, providing quality journalism for all citizens. In these challenging times, protecting this system is vital to help us all make sense of the world.

• Rachel Corp is chief exectuve of ITN