BBC World Service faces funding cliff edge in seven weeks, says Tim Davie

"Seven weeks today. We're waiting to hear the outcome of the settlement. But while we do, other western news organisations are cutting their international reporting teams, disinformation is flooding the digital sphere at an incredible speed, and state-backed media firms are using AI to promote propaganda. We have no time to lose. As a country, we face big decisions about our role in the international arena."

"Most of the World Service's 400m budget comes from the licence fee, though the Foreign Office contributed 137m in the last year. I urge the government to back the World Service, to act decisively and confidently about what we can achieve in this space, and to act soon, Davie said. So that amid all the global uncertainty, audiences can continue to rely on our journalism the very best the UK has to offer."

"Davie has made securing a new deal for the World Service one of his final priorities before he leaves his role in April. He and other BBC leaders have been warning of the dangers of cutting back the service, with data suggesting trust in state broadcasters from Russia and China growing around the world. Speaking at an event on global media security, Davie said the future of the World Service was now front and centre of discussions over the renewal of the BBC's charter."

The BBC World Service faces funding exhaustion within seven weeks unless a new government deal is secured, leaving its immediate operations at risk. The current Foreign Office funding arrangement ends at the end of March, creating urgent short-term uncertainty. Most of the World Service's £400m budget is covered by the licence fee, with the Foreign Office contributing £137m last year. Other western news organisations are cutting international reporting while disinformation spreads rapidly and state-backed media increasingly use AI for propaganda. Rising trust in state broadcasters from Russia and China heightens strategic concerns and strengthens calls for decisive government backing and increased public investment.

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