Government White Paper on the BBC

The point that many people who hate the BBC and John Whittingdale are forgetting is that the BBC is ours. Just because you don't like your front door doesn't mean you should let just anyone through it. I pay like others for the BBC and if I want Strictly on a Saturday night they why can't it be on a Saturday? Because it will upset itv and sky. [[swearing removed]]! And if sky are putting pressure on John to squeeze the BBC then it just show how scared of the BBC they are. I would also take a bet that they would buy most of the BBC when it goes up for sale as they know they would make so much money. This is why people should back the BBC at this point even if you hate it. It's our jewel not the conservatives to sell to there make to make a buck. That is why it's so important. I hope it's just the press making a story because if not then John and David are even more of a pair of [[swearing removed]] than even I thought was possible.

The BBC needs massive reform though. The "jobs for life" culture. Too many staff with literally nothing at all to do. I'm no accountant but I bet you I could have found a way to keep BBC Three on-air. I have to pay for the BBC regardless of whether or not I use it. I'm not allowed to own a television otherwise. That is unfair.

I think we need to move to a subcription system. Pay for what you use.

And then prices are driven up to compensate for those who don't want to pay. It won't work.

I agree there needs to be changes at the BBC. And at some point we can fight for that. But right now the conservatives are trying to sell our house via the back door. We need to stop this! Even if you hate the BBC at the end of the day it's still your house!

Is this a case of push a ridiculous scenario into the press, so when they announce the actual details we'll all be less outraged?

Essentially it's a pre-emptive U-turn. Since Cameron has been in power the government has done so many u-turns it'll be their legacy and it is embarrassing for them. Leaking a proposed policy to test the water is sensible from their point of view because they can then claim it isn't actually a real policy and so not have the opinion backlash. It also, as you say, creates a worst case scenario in the minds of the public which will then be compared to the actual policy and the judgment will be 'relatively fair' regardless of how fair the actual policy is. Furthermore, by kicking out an unpopular and ridiculous policy you give the illusion of listening to the electorate - which does contradict the public's dislike of u-turns but then public opinion is inconsistent to say the least.

Classic 'Dead Dog on the Table' approaches seem to have been increasing of late... Though in this case I'm not sure Whittingdale is intentionally doing this, though others in government may be using him to.

[citation needed]

Is the "jobs for life" culture the reason various behind-the-line workers and several journalists were made redundant?

Don't worry, in a few months we've got plenty of BBC workers going off to Rio for a jolly where they won't be working, just lounging on Copacabana beach on licence fee payer's cash. At least that's what the Daily Mail and Rob Schneider will be telling us anyway

There may be something in it - Martin Kelner, freshly let go from Radio Leeds, claims that it's a money saving thing, as two of the other main daytime presenters are staff SBJs they would be too expensive to get rid of, whereas he as a freelancer could be sacked at minimal expense.

There is indeed some truth to it. I work in the broadcast equipment industry, the Beeb ( to be fair, in common with other 'state broadcasters' ) are hardly an example of an uber streamlined and efficient organisation. The BBC being the largest has the most amount of waste. Commercial broadcasters and facility companies are far more 'resource and time savvy'. However, that said, let's think very carefully, and take a wide view before chucking that baby out with the bathwater.
What the BBC provides is far 'richer' than any of its peers, home or abroad.