"The BBC World Service delivers unparalleled UK cultural influence around the world, and as well as bringing economic benefits to the UK, plays an important role in national security and global stability. We are making the case to the Foreign Office about our funding and will continue our discussions with the government about the long-term future for the BBC World Service."
"There are quite difficult rules about what counts as defence spending, but things that count as stability and conflict spending are now also built into that space, he said."
BBC executives are lobbying to have parts of the World Service funded from the UK defence budget by arguing that media monitoring, anti-disinformation and stability work qualify as national security. The World Service faces potential cuts after the government asked for budget plans up to £70m lower and ministers requested up to 2% annual cash-term reductions following the halving of the overseas aid budget. About a third of the World Service’s £400m funding comes from the Foreign Office, with roughly 80% previously qualifying as overseas aid. Talks focus on whether defence spending rules can accommodate stability and conflict-related broadcasting work.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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