The Voice of the Listener and Viewer (VLV)

Only one week to go until our conference. Join us to hear leading voices from across broadcasting, journalism, & media policy to explore the evolving role of public service media in the digital age. To book payments.vlv.org.uk/event-search

Only one week to go until our conference. Join us to hear leading voices from across broadcasting, journalism, & media policy to explore the evolving role of public service media in the digital age. To book payments.vlv.org.uk/event-search

Where do you stand in the debate? Join us on the 30 April with a host of experts from the industry chaired by @janemartinson.bsky.social to ask where will the next Mr Bates & the Post Office, Wolf Hall or Gavin & Stacey come from & who will pay? To book payments.vlv.org.uk/Event-Search

Do join us at our Spring Conference on the 30 April in London - lots of discussions to be had about the future of public service media with @janemartinson.bsky.social @ritula.bsky.social @torindouglas.bsky.social To book head to payments.vlv.org.uk/event-search

Our latest Bulletin highlights @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Prof Jeanette Steemer's research into young Europeans' viewing habits, stating there is clear evidence that British screen content furthers interest in Britain & its people. To read vlv.org.uk/vlv-bulletins/

In our latest Spring Bulletin, former CofE communications director Rev. @petercrumpler.bsky.social outlines how in today’s world, religious literacy is more important than ever.
Read more here vlv.org.uk/vlv-bulletins/

🎙️ Richard Ayre former BBC exec on the fallout from the Gaza documentary controversy, BBC future funding models, the World Service and a generational charter.
⚠️ “That’s very worrying... the BBC’s inquiry may unearth some bodies.”
🎧 Listen to Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch podcast: podfollow.com/beebwatch

"York has always operated as a social anthropologist rather than a journalist, and he's as beady as ever in this stimulating podcast in which he lines up guests at the thinkier end of the media spectrum to get into the guts of the culture wars." Gc Great review
🎧 Listen podfollow.com/peter-yorks-...

As crunch time approaches in decisions about the BBC
our Spring Bulletin features opinion from leading voices in the public service media debate including Roger Bolton's @rogerbolton.bsky.social Beebwatch @katefdixon.bsky.social To read the Bulletin in full head to vlv.org.uk/vlv-bulletins/

Netflix viewers may soon have to pay the BBC licence fee – and I think that's a good idea Making viewers of all stripes pay for Auntie would maintain standards across the board

www.whathifi.com/streaming-en...

Despite negative press about licence fee enforcement letters being sent out stating noone watches #bbc anymore BARB data still shows BBC1 taking the top 6 audience slots!

This piece from Gareth Benest, Advocacy Director @ibtrust.bsky.social illustrates exactly why, whilst profoundly uncomfortable & disturbing, public service media programming via reality TV formats are important for our national conversation & expose the bare truth that people don't want to confront.

Tony Hall refloats licence fee body idea Former director general suggests return to decade-old plan to 'depoliticise' funding negotiations

www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/tony-hal...

VLV President, Lord Tony Hall CBE reactivates the idea of a BBC licence fee body in his Francis Crick Institute lecture. You can read the full lecture here vlv.org.uk/vlv-presiden...

Reclaiming Our Media – Why the UK Must Act Now to Rebuild a Resilient Media Ecosystem Yesterday I attended the Ofcom Workplan 2025 meeting in London, where I raised concerns about the control of social media platforms by unfriendly oligarchs, the weakening of the BBC, and the hollowing-out of the UK's local media ecosystem. These issues demand urgent attention to protect our democracy and public interest. The UK’s media landscape is facing a critical moment. Years of decline in local and independent media, compounded by the dominance of global tech platforms, have left significant gaps in how we access information, foster social cohesion, and safeguard democracy. This is not just a media issue; it is a societal issue that impacts how we live together, make decisions, and protect our shared values.

Who controls the flow of information in the UK? With tech platforms dominating media, concerns about democracy, social cohesion, and security grow. Can community media offer a solution? Explore the challenges and opportunities in our latest blog.

We're absolutely delighted to welcome @ritula.bsky.social @katefdixon.bsky.social @helenljay.bsky.social Catherine Johnson & @heshams.bsky.social as new Trustees to the VLV. They bring a wealth of expertise & a strong commitment to the mission of VLV, full release here vlv.org.uk/media-centre...

Around 4,000 journalism job cuts made in UK and US in 2024 Job cuts in the UK and US journalism industries halved in 2024 compared to the year before, according to Press Gazette analysis.

😱 pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/j...

More on the BBC.....

BBC News - Newswatch, 04/01/2025 What challenges does BBC News face over the coming year?

Our Chair, Colin Browne was interviewed on BBC Newswatch last week link here in case you missed it www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

BBC shake-up could see critics like Farage have a say in broadcaster's future Government plans to 'mutualise' the BBC aims to protect the broadcaster's future but could see pressure groups have a role in how its run

Our Chair Colin Browne on BBC shake-up - "there is a risk that mutualisation could be hijacked by a small number of activist members & special interest groups who would use the electoral tools to exert their influence" inews.co.uk/news/media/b...

We stand for high-quality public service broadcasting that upholds the democratic and cultural fabric of the UK.

VLV wants to ensure that ALL citizens can access #PSB without paying anything more than the equipment costs to install a TV & the TV Licence. We want what is known as universality maintained meaning that PSB should be available in every UK home. This & more will be discussed at our conference today.

Journalism is completely or partially blocked in 75% of countries, disinformation is increasing & tech is transforming the way people access & share information. BBC World Service remains the world’s most trusted news provider. We will hear from BBC Global News’ Jonathan Munro today on these issues.

1 week to go. Join us to talk all about the future of broadcasting. To book payments.vlv.org.uk/Event-Search

white text reads 'five years of the public interest news foundation' over a background of images including publishers PINF has supported, images of our indie news week in 2024 and our advocacy with politicians.

PINF is 5 today! 🎂🎈🥳 Read all about our first five years in our new blog tinyurl.com/244ub3kr
Here's to the next five! 🎉

Join us online or in person on Nov 28 with @ritula.bsky.social to talk about the impact the new Government might have on broadcasting, how the broadcasters will survive in this space dominated by global streamers & the explosion in choice of speech radio &podcasts. To book vlv.org.uk/upcoming-eve...

We're delighted that Sarah Rose President of
Channel 5 & UK Regional Lead at Paramount UK
will give a keynote at our conference on the 28 Nov. Sarah has been a driving force behind the commercial success of the Channel 5 portfolio & My5. To book please head to vlv.org.uk/upcoming-eve...

Don't miss our autumn conference on Thursday 28 Nov at the Geological Society, London & online featuring BBC News Global Director and CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, Jonathan Munro who will be giving one of the keynotes. To book please head to vlv.org.uk/upcoming-eve...

38% cut in BBC Public Funding: VLV Analysis | Voice of the Listener & Viewer VLV research shows that BBC public funding available for UK services has dropped by just under 40% in real terms since 2010. Our analysis is based on BBC An ...

Our research confirms BBC’s public funding for services for UK audiences has been slashed by just under 40% since 2010 & government raids on licence fee income mean that licence fee payers have been getting significantly less value for money. Read the full report here vlv.org.uk/news/bbc-pub...

Join the conversation about public service media with broadcasters Alan Yentob, Lord Tony Hall & Ritula Shah with Controller of BBC Radio 4, Mohit Bakaya &
Tim Levell, Programme Director of Times Radio
on Nov 28. To book payments.vlv.org.uk/Event-Search