Love it or Lose it - Save the BBC

"We need to show we love the BBC. We need to fight to protect it, else we stand in danger of losing it."

That is what Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, told at the Parliamentary launch of the Love it or Lose it campaign.

The campaign has been set up to fight for a well-funded, well-managed corporation as it faces charter renewal and decisions are made on future funding and the licence fee.

Michelle Stanistreet said:

"What makes the BBC special? It may be your local radio station; the breadth of news and current affairs on TV, the radio or online whenever you want it; or the Proms; or that parental inward sigh of relief that often accompanies CBeebies.

"Others may prefer EastEnders, Natural World, hard-hitting dramas, the amazing World Service, comedy, sports coverage, or simply the innovation that is the iPlayer – we can all think of something we absolutely love about the BBC and would miss hugely if it wasn't there tomorrow.

"But the reality is that all of this is under threat. The year-on-year cuts and endless salami slicing since the last licence fee settlement have squarely compromised grassroots programming and journalism.

"We need to fight to protect the BBC. Without a meaningful rise in the licence fee, we may not have a BBC to fight for in five or 10 years' time. The status quo is not an option."

Now the White Paper has been published, the battle continues to fight:

• For a BBC independent of government.
• For a BBC that is fairly funded, without licence-fee payers'  money going to non-BBC projects.
• Against privatisation of BBC production.

Read the NUJ's BBC info sheet: BBC facts and stats.

Read the NUJ's response to the government's White Paper: A BBC for the future: a broadcaster of distinction.

Read the Federation of Entertainment Unions Alternative BBC White Paper.

Read the latest Love it or Lose it news.

The BBC caved in at the first hurdle by signing up to yet another behind-doors, shabby deal with the government.

John Whittingdale, the fromer culture secretary, told parliament the BBC had agreed to cover the cost of providing free television licences for over-75s. He said the changes would be phased in from 2018-19 with the corporation bearing the full cost by 2020-21. This could cost the equivalent of 20 per cent of the BBC's budget.

NUJ's submissions to the BBC inquiries.

Andy Davey ©

Whovians invade the BBC: Time Lords, cyborgs and stars from Doctor Who demonstrate outside the BBC

Peers told BBC should not subsidise local press

F*** Off and leave the BBC alone', Sir Bob Geldof tells ministers at Parliamentary reception

JK Rowling, Chris Evans and other stars tell David Cameron: don't diminish BBC

 
©BBC

NUJ reaction to the "dirty deal"

How the deal was done Charlotte Higgins in the Guardian

Forcing the BBC to fund free TV licences for the over-75s from its licence fee revenue, as the government has announced it will do, is profoundly unconstitutional. Diana Coyle, fromer BBC Trust vice-chair.

House of Lords: 'BBC is being targeted for political reasons' – latest cuts are 'deeply shocking'

Watch the  #greatBBC's  new film from Simon Curtis to find how some of Britain's best-known stars were influenced by the BBC.

Real Media's report sets out what is happening.

The union believes the new charter must be used to bring in much-needed reforms. The NUJ will be campaigning for a corporation which:

• invests in programming, not management layers;
• does not privatise production;
• maintains proper and transparent recruitment procedures;
• reflects the gender balance and diversity of its licence-fee payers, in front and behind the camera and microphone;
• includes proper regional news coverage;
• takes on board the recommendations of the Lords Communications Committee report on women in broadcasting news and current affairs.

Fighting for the Future of the BBC, Michelle Stanistreet, Morning Star

BBC annual report 2015

How you can get involved

Use the hastag #LoveitorLoseitBBC

Visit the Facebook page.

You can contact your MP via the Write to Them website. Use this model letter and add some BBC stats and facts

You can make the Love it or Lose it campaign an item on your next branch meeting agenda. Contact campaigns@nuj.org.uk to arrange a speaker. or get the NUJ Love it ot Lose it badges.

If you work at the BBC, use the campaign to recruit a colleague.

Sign Bectu's Love it or Lose it petition

Take part in the 38 Degrees petition

Sign Broadcast magazine's #BackingtheBBC pledge

Use the BBC stats & Facts  and Only the BBC! campaign materials to help make the case.

Order our HANDS OFF STRICTLY postcards from campaigns@nuj.org.uk and send them to John Whittingdale.

You can download the three BBC cartoons to use as part of your campaign literature.

© Andy Davey

You can download the Don't let them destroy the BBC poster