The BBC is reportedly seeking a PR super harlot in a last gasp attempt to save its beloved TV licence fee.
Under current legislation, every UK property where equipment is installed or used to receive TV programmes (that is programmes on any TV channel, at their time of broadcast) needs to be covered by a valid TV licence. Additionally, from 1st September 2016, a TV licence is required for any UK property where equipment is used to watch or download BBC on-demand programmes on the iPlayer.
A TV licence currently costs £157.50 per year and revenue generated by the fee - almost £4 billion - goes exclusively to the BBC. In the digital age when there are literally thousands of non-BBC channels available, politicians are finally waking up to the fact that the TV licence is unfair, outdated and unenforceable. The BBC, unfortunately, thinks the TV licence - or rather the guaranteed income it brings - is still the best thing since sliced bread.
The BBC arrogantly views TV licence revenue as its by divine right - money that will keep flowing in however woeful its content, wasteful its expenditure or sordid its scandal.
After more than 70 years the writing is finally on the wall for the TV licence, with the Government actively exploring alternatives to the much hated fee. The BBC, just as you'd expect, is screaming louder than a schoolgirl pinned in the corner of Jimmy Savile's dressing room, at the prospect of actually having to work for a living or compete on an equal footing with every other broadcaster.
According to industry magazine PR Week the BBC is recruiting a new Group Director of Corporate Affairs - effectively a PR supremo (or PR super harlot, as we usually nickname BBC/TV Licensing gobshites) - to navigate the turbulent seas ahead.
The new flunky, who is expected to receive just under £300k salary, will report directly to the new Director General, Tim Davie. They are expected to slot into a role very similar to that of former Director of Strategy, James Purnell. Purnell, who was a Minister in the Labour Governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, is now the Director of Radio and Education.
Top of the new appointee's in-tray will be negotiating changes to the TV licence fee, which are expected imminently. The Government is due to release the findings of a consultation into the decriminalisation of TV licence fee evasion any day now. Several national newspapers have reported that the Government will go against the wishes of the BBC by decriminalising the offence.
Applications for the role have now closed, but the BBC job advert described it in the following terms: "Your role will undertake high level political and legislative projects on particular issues to support Public Affairs and to promote the BBC's interests in the political arena.
"Lastly you will provide reactive and proactive research and advice on Political & Parliamentary issues, and take a senior role in identified communications projects as directed by the Head of Public Affairs."
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