Recommendation 7

The BBC told us the World Service trust score remained broadly stable at about 78% over the period 2021 to 2025, while reported trust in the Chinese state broadcaster rose from 62% to 70% and in the Russian state broadcaster from 59% to 71%.10 Survey analysis also shows that the World Service maintained its ranking of first among international competitors for trust, reliability and independence in 2024–25, although absolute scores fell compared with 2021–22.11 The BBC told us that without increased investment the UK risks losing further ground to state-backed competitors, such as China and Russia, which are rapidly expanding their global media reach.12 In response to this risk, when asked what it would do differently if 5 C&AG’s Report, para 5 6 C&AG’s Report, paras 1-2, 4 7 Q 10; C&AG’s Report, para 1.4 8 Q 7 9 The Henry Jackson Society (BWS0005) 10 Qq 41-42 11 C&AG’s Report, para 3.12 12 Q 55 8 it secured further FCDO investment, the BBC told us that it would expand verification through BBC Verify and a World Service disinformation team to detect, test and disprove false claims more quickly. It said it would also invest in circumvention so audiences in censored markets can continue to access impartial services, and in that way sustain trust. It also highlighted targeted local language launches, such as the Polish digital pilot, to provide clearly attributed BBC journalism in priority regions where Russian disinformation is prevalent, helping to retain audience trust against state-backed narratives.13