Latest news with #SamirShah
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The BBC's broadcast of Glastonbury hate chanting is nothing short of criminal
Another week, another utter disgrace for the BBC when it comes to antisemitism and the safety of Britain's Jewish community. This time the setting was Glastonbury. The BBC has been broadcasting live from the festival for many years. It employs hundreds of people to cover the event at significant expense to licence-fee payers. It is meant to have systems in place to ensure that racist, offensive content is not broadcast. So how was it possible on Saturday afternoon that the rap duo Bob Vylan were allowed to broadcast live on the BBC chanting 'death to the IDF' and talking about 'f-ing Zionists'? Why was the live feed not immediately cut? Why did BBC executives allow the racist rant to continue unchecked? The BBC's own editorial guidelines state the following: 'Material that contains hate speech should not be included in output unless it is justified by the context. Broadcasting hate speech can constitute a criminal offence if it is intended or likely to stir up hatred relating to race, or intended to stir up hatred relating to religious belief'. So has the BBC committed a criminal offence in broadcasting this hateful, racist material? The police should investigate, as should the BBC's Board, led by Chairman Samir Shah. How much longer can they tolerate the failings of BBC leadership on antisemitism and bias? Director General Tim Davie and his executives have had more than eighteen months to get a grip and yet this weekend's debacle shows the BBC's problems are getting ever worse not better. It is also time for the government and Ofcom to act. The BBC has repeatedly shown itself unable to get its own house in order on antisemitism, whether that be the racism broadcast live this weekend from Glastonbury, the consistent Jew-hate and bias from reporters on BBC Arabic or the debacle of the Gaza documentary that the corporation was forced to pull because, amongst other things, a payment had been made to the family of a Hamas official. The BBC's editorial failings on antisemitism and anti-Israel bias are now so numerous, so widespread and so consistent that perhaps I should not be surprised. But to see our national broadcaster allow this racist rant to be aired was stomach-churning. Many Jews I have spoken to feel the same: a mixture of shock, disgust, sadness and fear. There is disbelief that the BBC gave a platform to those inciting violence against Jews and gleefully telling racist stories. The BBC has hit a new low. It is, frankly, unforgivable.
Telegraph
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
BBC backs Martine Croxall after she corrected ‘pregnant people' script
The BBC has backed Martine Croxall after she replaced the term 'pregnant people' with 'women' in a news report. Insiders said the mood at the broadcaster has shifted in recent months and Croxall's on-air correction signals a move towards the use of more 'honest language'. The change has come from the top with support from Samir Shah, the BBC chairman, according to sources. The UK Supreme Court ruling in April is also said to have encouraged staff to speak up for women. Judges ruled that the term 'woman' in the 2010 Equality Act referred to biological sex, not acquired gender. Croxall won a new legion of fans, including JK Rowling, when she overruled the autocue during a BBC News report. In a story about heatwave-related deaths, the script said that 'pregnant people and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions'. Croxall read the phrase 'pregnant people' then corrected it to 'women', accompanied by a subtle eye roll. A clip of the moment went viral on social media and was reposted on X by Rowling, who wrote: 'I have a new favourite BBC presenter.' Croxall is understood to have received no pushback from bosses about the language that she used. A BBC source said: 'This is very good news. Bosses are intensely relaxed, it seems – perhaps even pleased with what she did. It's down to the new chairman, in my opinion.' Another said that the Supreme Court ruling had brought 'clarity'. That is a marked change from February last year when Justin Webb was deemed to have broken impartiality rules by mentioning biological sex. During a report on Radio 4's Today programme about gender guidelines in international chess, Webb read out a reference to a transgender woman and added: 'In other words, male.' A listener complained and the BBC's editorial complaints unit agreed, saying Webb had given the impression 'of endorsing one viewpoint in a highly controversial area'. Tim Davie defended that ruling, telling MPs: 'It is an area of controversy – fact.'
The Independent
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
If the BBC licence fee is scrapped, Doctor Who should disappear behind a paywall
I've spent most of my career watching television and, through thick and thin, I've always stood up for the BBC. Currently, for £14.50 per month, the licence fee pays for national and local TV and radio, the iPlayer, BBC Sounds, the BBC website, a selection of apps and the BBC World Service. That represents incredible value for money, but the Corporation's Royal Charter is up for renewal in 2027. It's been a decade since the last renewal, and in that time, the media landscape has changed beyond recognition. In 2017, Netflix were sending me DVDs through the post; now streaming services, YouTube and social media have changed the way we watch and have made it increasingly difficult to argue the future of the compulsory TV licence. This means even dyed-in-the wool supporters like me have to argue that the BBC's financing method has to change. In an interview with the Sunday Times, BBC chairman Samir Shah has argued that the licence fee should be included with council tax payments, with a sliding scale of payments according to the value of your property. This sounds sensible – but with no council tax in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, that rather puts a spanner in the works. As a huge supporter of public service broadcasting, I'd suggest something different: make the BBC a two-tier service, with a basic offering for all supplemented by premium services for those who want to pay extra for them. Once rid of the licence fee, a pared-back BBC could then be paid for out of general taxation, with a subscription service offering premium extras. 'BBC Basic', as it might come to be known colloquially, could breathe life into its Reithian principles – to inform, educate and entertain, offering all the important things that hold the nation together as well as a real service element: news, consumer programmes, popular drama like EastEnders and Death in Paradise, and revealing and positive documentaries. Such a service would hopefully 'breadcrumb' viewers into paying for tasty and desirable treats, either via a rolling monthly subscription, or with individual programmes available to rent on demand. 'BBC Premium' might offer full coverage of sporting events (there could be highlights on the basic package), some popular flagship programming such as Strictly Come Dancing and Race Across the World, and all the programmes that cost more to produce, such as major dramas and nature series. As with the streamers, you'd get your first episode on the basic package and pay for the rest. Shows that you pay for should be the icing on the cake of the BBC, and I'd even argue for shows like Doctor Who to go behind a paywall. Who else but the Beeb is making popular sci-fi with incredibly high production values, whose every plot twist and casting decision dominates the headlines? The BBC has a massive archive of programming which could be open to subscribers. This would require spending money on rights clearances, but this would fit in with the corporation's public service ethos. The iPlayer recently ran a pop-up TV station, Memories, aimed at those with dementia, but providing an incredible historic insight into the past, from arts programming to life in an insurance company in the 1970s (quite niche, but I enjoyed it), so a bigger offering than the current meagre and largely unchanging collection could prove a big draw. Archive material could also fill some daytime TV slots on a basic package as a money-saver and something for those of us bored with endless property programmes and gameshows. The BBC's commercial arm is a big success, with 2023/24 figures showing sales of £1.9 billion, with the most popular shows sold to other broadcasters around the world including Planet Earth III, The Famous Five, The 1% Club and coverage of the Coronation. It has also made shows for Netflix and Apple TV+ that have never been shown on the BBC. Such commercial creativity should be able to come up with new programming that entices viewers to pay for a premium service, perhaps working with social media content creators to draw in the much-desired younger audience and reshape broadcasting for a new era. As much as I've loved Auntie Beeb over the years, she has to change. She's not an auntie to younger viewers, more like one of those distant relatives you avoid at all costs because you think she's really boring. But you could probably learn something from her, which is why the good things that come from the BBC must continue, even though you're going to pay for them in a different way.
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
BBC licence fee cost may now be determined by value of house in new proposal
BBC Chairman Samir Shah has suggested that the current fee of £174.50 should be revised for some households. TV license fees may start increasing based on the value of your home, as proposed by a BBC boss. Charmain Samir Shah has urged that the £174.50 fee be scrapped to make way for a progressive payment structure that is based on assets. Speaking in an interview earlier this year, Mr Shah explained the fee would be tied to property bands and collected at the same time as council tax, which would come as his first major shake-up since taking over from Richard Sharp. He also shut down speculation that the TV licence would be scrapped for a Netflix subscription-style service, stating that it would "not meet the BBC's key role to offer something for everyone in the country.' Viewers living in higher council tax bands would pay more for BBC service while those in lower bands may end up paying less than the current rate. Those who opt out of paying a TV licence would no longer be able to do so. The chairman believes this policy would reduce the need to prosecute people for not paying. He told The Sunday Times: "It gets rid of the enforcement issue, which is a problem. The idea that not paying the licence fee is a criminal offence seems too harsh." In Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, where there is no Council Tax, an alternative would have to be implemented. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy may also be open to it, having described the current model as "harder for poorer households to pay". In the interview, he answered questions about changing the model of the BBC and rejected the proposal of a hybrid structure, which would see the broadcaster offering its basic services such as news for free and charging for content like drama or comedy series. He continued to say that the advertising on the BBC would "kill off ITV", and dismissed the idea that the broadcaster should be funded solely by general taxation because it would "leave the BBC open to influence from the government of the day". Samir Shah, 73, took over as BBC chairman in February 2024 after he replaced Richard Sharp, who resigned in April 2023. At the moment, although there are concessions or free licences for certain groups, such as those over 75 who receive Pension Credit, the licence fee does not take personal assets into consideration. The standard fee is charged at £174.50 per annum with a reduced rate of £58.50 for black and white subscriptions. For viewers who are blind or severely sight-impaired, a 50% discount is available, bringing the cost down to £87.25.
Wales Online
11-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Major shake-up of how people pay BBC licence fee proposed
Major shake-up of how people pay BBC licence fee proposed BBC chairman Samir Shah suggested the current flat fee could be replaced in future The BBC licence fee would be means tested if the proposals were introduced (Image: Getty ) A BBC boss has proposed TV licence fees could be based on the value of one's home in future. Chairman Samir Shah suggested that the current £174.50 fee could be replaced with a progressive payment structure tied to property values. In an interview earlier this year, he proposed that the fee could be linked to council tax bands and collected concurrently, marking his first significant change since succeeding Richard Sharp. He also dismissed the notion of replacing the TV licence with a Netflix-style subscription service, arguing it wouldn't fulfil the BBC's mission to provide something for everyone in the country. Under this proposal, households in higher council tax bands would pay more for BBC services, while those in lower bands might pay less than the current rate. The option to opt out of paying a TV licence would be removed. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Shah believes this approach would lessen the need to prosecute non-payers, telling The Sunday Times: "It gets rid of the enforcement issue, which is a problem. The idea that not paying the licence fee is a criminal offence seems too harsh." For regions like Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands, where Council Tax doesn't apply, an alternative method would need to be established, reports the Express. Article continues below Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy may be receptive to the idea, having previously described the current model as "harder for poorer households to pay". During the interview, he tackled queries about altering the BBC's funding model and dismissed the idea of a hybrid structure that would offer basic services like news for free while charging for drama or comedy content. He also mentioned that introducing advertising to the BBC would "kill off ITV" and rejected the notion that the BBC should be funded entirely through general taxation, arguing it would "leave the BBC open to influence from the government of the day". Article continues below At the moment, although there are concessions or free licences for certain groups, such as those over 75 who receive Pension Credit, the licence fee does not take personal assets into account. The standard licence fee is set at £174.50 per annum, with a reduced rate of £58.50 for black and white TV subscriptions. For individuals who are blind or severely sight-impaired, there is a 50% concession, bringing the cost down to £87.25.
