UK Foreign Secretary and former PM David Cameron has spoken of his pride in supporting the BBC World Service ahead of Press Freedom Day on Friday May 3.
Speaking exclusively to BBC World Service Presents, Cameron also discussed the importance of a free press, the risks journalists take to report the news globally, and the fight against disinformation and authoritarianism.
The foreign secretary said: “Standing up for a free press is critical, critical for you who report the news critical for the world we live in and critical for Britain.
“Here in the UK a free and fiercely independent media is well established but as Foreign Secretary I’m often reminded how lucky we are – disinformation and rigid state control, authoritarian assaults on the media, journalists risking their lives to report terrible conflicts – this is the reality of 2024.
“This reality is a feature of the dangerous and uncertain times we’re living in. More dangerous more uncertain than at any time in my political career. In times such as these, trustworthy news is more valuable than ever, it allows citizens to know what is happening and why.
“But increasing global freedom of the press is not just in other’s interest it is in Britain’s interest too. Our adversaries have no qualms at whipping up support via distortion and outright lies our best response is truth. Truth saps at their power, truth enhances Britain’s security alongside strong defences and firm alliances.
“That is why the World Service is so valuable in providing independent trustworthy news, in speaking the truth. It is an integral part of the proud tradition of the BBC and an essential choice for audiences right across the globe. As Foreign Secretary I am proud to continue to support their broadcasting and to stand up for the free press all over the world.”
Cameron’s seemingly supportive words come as a parliamentary committee is holding an inquiry into the future funding of the World Service. Currently, the service is chiefly funded by the UK Licence Fee with additional grant funding of £104.4m from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Under this arrangement, the BBC World Service agreed not to close any language services, but this condition is set to be lifted in 2025.
BBC director general Tim Davies made it clear in a speech last month, however, that he does not see it as viable in the long term to keep asking licence fee payers to fund what is as much a soft power tool for the Foreign Office as a broadcaster when the BBC is facing cuts across the board and rising costs.
“We cannot keep asking UK Licence Fee payers to invest in [the World Service] when we face cuts to UK services. We will need to discuss a long-term funding solution for the World Service that comes from central government budgets,” Davies told the Royal Television Society in his A BBC for the Future address. “Russia and China are investing hard, and not properly funding one of the UK’s most valuable soft power assets makes no sense economically or culturally.”
BBC World Service provides news to radio, TV and digital audiences around the world in 42 languages including English, reaching a global audience of 318 million people. In the run up to Press Freedom Day, BBC World Service Presents is hosting screenings, live programme recordings, speeches and panel discussions examining the key issues facing journalism and highlighting the BBC’s unique position as the world’s most trusted international news broadcaster.
