Media secretary Tessa Jowell is facing a backlash from the broadcasting industry, after implying she has single-handedly reviewed the BBC's charter four years ahead of schedule and decided the BBC should be funded by licence-fee payers' money for at least another 15 years, writes Luke Satchell
Media secretary Tessa Jowell is facing a backlash from the broadcasting industry, after implying she has single-handedly reviewed the BBC's charter four years ahead of schedule and decided the BBC should be funded by licence-fee payers' money for at least another 15 years, writes Luke Satchell

In an interview with the Financial Times today (5 May), Jowell was asked whether or not privatisation of the BBC in 2006 was an option. She is quoted as saying that such an eventuality is 'highly unlikely', and later saying: 'The answer is no.'

Jowell also talked about the government's position on Channel 4. The broadcaster has come under fire, with industry figures claiming its position as a public service broadcaster has become untenable and privatisation has become inevitable.

The media secretary dismissed the claims, however, insisting: 'We have a very clear manifesto commitment which is not to privatise C4 and not to privatise it for a very good reason. Investment in innovation, risk taking: that's what it's all about. It does it extraordinarily well.'

Jowell also let slip that the government 'at some point' intends to drive digital take-up ahead of its self-imposed analogue switch off target of 2010, with a marketing campaign paid for by the taxpayer.

The opposition said Jowell's comments made a mockery of the review of the BBC's Royal Charter, scheduled for 2006. Shadow culture secretary Tim Yeo told the Financial Times that Jowell's comments were 'absolutely astonishing'.

?To simply dismiss the alternative possibilities before the debate has taken place not only shows a closed mind but may also work against the interests of viewers and broadcasters', he said.