30 ms·

So basically not lining up with the Daily Express?

• pja 8y ago
  Not so much about political positioning, but simply that the quality of the straight news reporting was high & there were no ads, so viewers were flocking to the BBC website in preference to other commercial news providers. This was deemed unacceptable by the Conservative government during a crucial time in the negotiation of the renewal of the licence fee, so the website was quietly gutted to appease them. That’s the story I’ve been told at least.
  • setquk 8y ago
    If that is the case then it’s a sad outcome and it shows political overreach.
    • NeedMoreTea 8y ago
      Broadly speaking everywhere the BBC did well the Tories took as reason to see them as impacting on free competition and commercial interests. There have been periodic Tory calls to privatise them for decades. BBC online has been significantly limited twice, and BBC news more generally once (One relatively recent Tory change required the BBC to take on the costs of World Service that had always been Foreign Office until that point. Whilst editorially independent, the FO could ensure certain regions received output). It is quite sad, as there were many areas they were doing well in.