Privatisation of Channel 4 2022-05-26
2022-05-26
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Channel 4 faces privatization under government proposals. The MP wants to know about consultations with industry stakeholders.
What discussions she has had with industry stakeholders on the Government's proposals to privatise Channel 4?
The Government consulted extensively on the future of Channel 4, and the views from a broad range of industry stakeholders informed our policymaking and final decision. My officials recently met representatives from the Scotland Office and the Scottish Government.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details about discussions with industry stakeholders were not provided.
Consultation Was Broad
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State claimed that privatising Channel 4 would reduce taxpayer subsidies. The MP challenges this and asks if the real reason is to silence critical broadcasting.
When the Secretary of State was asked by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee why she wanted to privatise Channel 4, she said it was because it was costing the taxpayer too much in subsidies. Given that excuse has gone, is it not time to come clean and say that the Secretary of State's mission against Channel 4 is about trying to shut down a broadcaster that has a nasty habit of broadcasting the truth?
I know the Secretary of State's reasoning better than he does. He mis-characterises what was said at the Select Committee. Channel 4 is uniquely dependent on linear advertising and cannot own its content, so we think we have an opportunity to free it from these constraints to allow it to invest more in content.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the accusation of silencing critical broadcasting directly.
Mis-Characterises What Was Said At The Select Committee
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State claims to remove straitjackets from Channel 4 but does not clarify public service remits or competition with Amazon and Netflix.
Will the public service remits be reduced in any way? Can the Minister tell the House why the aim to compete with Amazon and Netflix should be one of the purposes of Channel 4?
This is not about allowing Channel 4 to compete exactly as Netflix and Amazon do. It's about understanding market dynamics created by these companies. We believe Channel 4 needs greater flexibility in how it runs its business, including owning content.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not clearly define public service remits or fully address competition with streaming services.
Not About Exact Competition
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State did not attend the Dispatch Box to defend her policy. The MP questions support levels for privatisation according to a government report.
Despite the impression given, is it not true that only 5% of respondents agreed with privatising Channel 4? What is more, stakeholders are also against the sell-off. Who actually supports their plans?
A huge number of responses were to the 38 Degrees redrawing of questions set. We have responsibility to look at long-term trends in this business and make decisions for the taxpayer, UK audiences, and creative industries.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify who supports the plans.
Huge Number Of Responses
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State has made up her mind on privatisation, and evidence shows it is bad for levelling up, skills pipeline, independent production sector, and creative industries.
Is it not the truth that the Secretary of State made up her mind long ago based on ideology and a vendetta against Channel 4's news coverage? Privatisation is bad for levelling up, skills pipeline, independent production sector, and creative industries. Is this process just a sham?
This is not a decision driven by ideology; it's about what is best for the creative sector, audiences, and taxpayers. Plenty of opportunities to discuss these issues in the media Bill debate.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address accusation of ideological vendetta or sham process directly.
Not Driven By Ideology
Response accuracy