Ruth Cadbury MP raises BBC World Service Funding

Ruth Cadbury MP has written to the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in regard to funding for the BBC World Service. The text of Ruth's letter can be seen here.

Dear Yvette,

I am writing to you in regard to the BBC World Service. I understand that the funding arrangement with the Foreign Office runs out in seven weeks and is also part of the ongoing negotiation about the BBC’s charter. I am very concerned that the World Service risks losing its funding from the FCDO at a time when it is needed more than ever. It has for a long time been one of the main voices standing up for equality and democracy in some of the most dangerous parts of the world and is an incredible tool of the UK’s information based influence on the international stage.

This is needed more than ever as hostile actors are seeking to exploit and use information warfare to push an authoritarian message. Whilst not always heard by most BBC licence payers, the BBC world service reaches over 300 million people a week and is therefore the world’s biggest news organisation. It remains one of the most trusted voices across the world and has been particularly valuable in conflict zones such as Sudan and Afghanistan where they are able to provide a direct voice from on the ground.

So many listeners do so because of this original, on the ground reporting and the voices that they lift up as part of this reporting. At a time when we are seeing opponents of our democratic system pushing an authoritarian message.

The FCDO’s own research said that 72% of it’s reach is in countries with low media freedom and that, ‘‘Its provision of accurate, impartial and trusted news reaches audiences in authoritarian and conflict-affected states, such as Myanmar, Somalia and Eritrea. Its emergency radio stations – in places like Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine have brought essential information to people in crisis. Programmes such as DARS (meaning ‘lesson’ in Dari and Pashto) gives girls education and hope in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.’’

I really hope that an urgent solution can be found and that the World Service can be given the support it needs both in the short-term and also so that it can continue to play an important role in the coming decade and beyond.

Kind regards, Ruth