The move towards a corporate management model had been proposed by Sir David himself, who was confirmed by the BBC as its new chair last week. The BBC is the jewel in our public-sector crown, and needs to be protected at all cost. With the government cutting 800m from its budget by 2020, it is already under huge financial pressure.
We need to make sure that this appointment upholds the standards we expect from the BBC and say no to any attempt at privatisation by this government.
Keep the BBC independent
Former City CEO Clementi was a central figure in Thatcher’s privatisation of British Telecom in the 1980s. The sell-off of BT emboldened her government to push their privatisation agenda further than they thought previously possible.
The appointment was heralded by Culture Secretary Karen Bradley, who thinks Sir David will bring his extensive boardroom experience to the new role. But Clementi’s appointment, approved ultimately by Theresa May, is a potentially divisive one.
Former BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons has said that the former CEO needed to recognise that running the BBC was not the same as a PLC.
“What’s important is that Clementi focuses on making sure the BBC serves the people who pay for it: the British public,” he said. “That means recognising it is not simply a big communications company.”
Lately the BBC has come under criticism from all sides of the political spectrum, and has been accused of losing the public's trust. But in an age of agenda-driven media and fake news, organisations like the BBC have a central role to play in delivering objective and impartial news, and to challenge power and corruption where it sees it.
In the confusing post-referendum political landscape, it is vital to our democracy that the BBC remains independent and free from corporate influence.
Tell Karen Bradley to ensure the new BBC upholds standards and remains independent
More information
Ex bank deputy Sir David Clementi to be next BBC chairman
BBC News. 10 January 2017.
BBC News. 10 January 2017.