Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence...
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the British Broadcasting Company (the BBC) on the BBC World Services’ planning and implementation of its savings programmes since 2022.1
Government Response
Response Pending
HM Government
Response Pending
The BBC agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. regional governance structure across its six global news regions (Africa, Americas, APAC, Europe, MENA, South Asia). Two Regional Directors (RDs) are now appointed, with three more in the hiring process. The BBC expects to finalise these appointments by September 2026. One RD appointment has been delayed until Autumn 2026 to re-assess HQ location for safety and operational readiness. In addition, the accountability mechanisms around the RDs are further being strengthened through: • appointments in areas such as HR, Finance, Strategy & Delivery, Operations; • the creation of robust decision-making and governance processes and forums at the regional and global levels; and • streamlining of editorial decision making across the entirety of the BBC’s international operations, in line with the implementation of the international governance structure. The BBC continues to be the most trusted source globally. The tracking of trust and other reputational metrics is being enhanced to understand better regional variations. This will enable baseline setting and monitoring as the international governance structure is fully implemented in the regions. Separately, a new workstream is refining mechanisms to better assess the extent of disinformation and misinformation and track the spread of competing narratives, especially in critical markets. This will enable an even stronger BBC response to the global mis/disinformation crisis, using top-tier OSINT/digital forensics tools. The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. and human rights around the world. Independent media is essential to a healthy democracy. Around the world, journalists continue to face harassment, intimidation and violence for carrying out their vital work, and the UK remains committed to defending their rights and safety wherever they are threatened. The UK has recently assumed the role of Chair of the Media Freedom Coalition, a partnership of governments working together to promote and protect media freedom globally. Through this role, the FCDO is strengthening international coordination, advocating for journalists at risk, and supporting initiatives that improve legal, political and security environments for independent media. This includes raising individual cases of concern and working with civil society to push back against restrictions on free expression. The government would be pleased to respond formally to the Committee’s recommendation in the form of a letter within the requested timeframe, where it can set out specific actions the UK is taking to improve conditions for journalists working in hostile environments.