Tag: BBC

Bishop of Leicester asks about important role of the BBC World Service

The Bishop of Leicester asked a question on the important role of the BBC in providing trusted information through the BBC World Service Programme on 12th November 2025, during a discussion on recent changes in leadership at the BBC:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, I have just returned from a visit to a country in west Africa that I know very well, and which has sadly suffered a number of coups in recent years. However, I can testify first-hand that the role of the BBC in such situations is highly regarded. In a situation where people do not know where to turn to find out what is happening around them, and where there are huge amounts of fear and anxiety, it is to the BBC that they turn to find out what is happening. I believe that remains true today, even in the face of mistakes that have been made. Can the Minister reassure us that the BBC will continue to have the people and resources needed to play this vital role internationally?

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Bishop of Southwark asks about impact of the BBC World Service

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 24th June 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the BBC World Service on (1) global projection of the UK, and (2) global access to news reporting.

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Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asks about funding of the BBC World Service

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham asked a question on ensuring sufficient funding for the BBC world service on 2nd June 2025, highlighting its role in communicating issues of faith and freedom of religion:

The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham: My Lords, the World Service has been particularly effective at communicating issues of faith and freedom of religion. In light of the increasing need for and importance of this, will His Majesty’s Government ensure as a priority that there is sufficient funding for the World Service, and that this is both retained and enhanced?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about role of the BBC World Service in promoting accurate narratives on the world stage

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the work of the BBC World Service to advocate for a positive and accurate historical narrative on the global stage on 3rd April 2025, during a discussion on recent political conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, we are living in a very vulnerable time when false narratives are being spread and some are not being challenged. 

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Bishop of St Albans asks about BBC translation guidelines

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on publication of BBC translation guidelines on 4th March 2025, during a discussion on recent coverage on Gaza:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I understand that one of the particular worries was to do with the way certain phrases were translated, and therefore may have unwittingly biased people or been misleading. Will the BBC publish the principles and guidelines that are used for translation in these difficult situations?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about use of soft power in the media

The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on the use of soft power via media outlets such as the BBC on 14th November 2024, during a discussion on the effectiveness of the BBC World Service:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, there is a tension here between having an independent BBC, which we are all grateful for—indeed, that is part of its integrity—and it being part of our strategic soft power. Could the noble Baroness tell us a little bit more about the strategic approach His Majesty’s Government are taking to thinking about the key places we need to engage with, not least in countering the deliberate disinformation coming from China and Russia, which is fundamental to the future of our democracies?

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Bishop of Leeds asks about funding of the BBC World Service

On 24th April 2024, the Bishop of Leeds asked a question on whether the government would consider taking back long term funding of the BBC World Service, rather than having the service funded through the licence fee:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, I notice that the funding agreement with the FCDO runs only until April 2025, which is not very far ahead. Can the Minister tell us whether the Government are considering, at the very least, taking back full funding of the World Service in the longer term rather than leaving it to the licence fee?

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Bishop of Durham asks about cultural value of the BBC

The Bishop of Durham asked a question on the cultural value brought to the UK by the BBC on 12th December 2023, following a government statement on the BBC licence fee:

The Lord Bishop of Durham: Will the review look at what the BBC generates for the nation, as well as what goes in? Arguably, it generates far more money than the £3.8 billion, but this cannot be reduced to just an economic debate. Will what the BBC generates in good will around the world and our standing as a nation, because of what it does, be taken into consideration?

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Bishop of St Albans asks about funding for the BBC World Service

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 23rd March 2023:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government how much funding they provided for the BBC World Service in (1) 2019, (2) 2020, (3) 2021, and (4) 2022.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Con): Since 2016, the FCDO has provided over £468 million to the World Service through the World2020 programme, funding 12 language services and enhancements to services in Arabic, Russian, Thai and English, to enable digital transformation and counter disinformation.

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Bishop of Southwark asks about political pressure on the BBC

The Bishop of Southwark asked a question on political pressure and the commodification of the BBC during a debate on the government’s role in the network’s impartiality on 15th March 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, political pressure on the BBC is not new. Mr Wilson, Mrs Thatcher and Mr Blair all had their problems with the BBC. As in this place, those in power there face scrutiny, but does the Minister accept two things that are now in play when it comes to impartiality: first, the long-term commodification of the BBC, which has eroded its funding and its service commitment to the nations and regions at home, to religion, to culture, to education and to our mutual flourishing through both the expression of heightened values and entertainment; and, secondly, the fact that impartiality is about fairness? Who determines what is impartial? It should not be the Government.

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