The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 10th January 2023:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the strategic importance of the BBC World Service during the Arab Spring protests.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con): The FCDO strongly values the BBC World Service’s role in bringing high quality and impartial broadcasting to global audiences, particularly where free speech is limited. The Integrated Review stated that the BBC’s foreign language services are part of what makes the UK a soft power superpower.
During the Arab Spring, news and information was fiercely contested. Disruptions to the internet, misinformation and a breakdown of trust in some national broadcast media gave greater significance to the BBC World Service for its objective and impartial reporting on events across the region.
The Government remains committed to the World Service, and its important role in delivering trusted, accurate and independent broadcasting worldwide.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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