Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Paragraph: 28
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the role that PSB content can play in bringing the...
Conclusion
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the role that PSB content can play in bringing the country together creating shared national experiences and providing access to topical, UK-specific information and entertainment.
Paragraph Reference:
28
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government welcomes the publication of the Committee’s report and is grateful for the Committee’s comprehensive inquiry into ‘The Future of Public Service Broadcasting’. The Government wholeheartedly agrees with the Committee’s assessment that the need for public service broadcasting remains as strong as ever. At a time when we are witnessing seismic shifts in the way people are discovering and viewing audiovisual content, the ability of our public service broadcasters (PSBs) to make programmes that appeal to the breadth of the UK population and unite audiences across generations remains undisputed. What is more, the PSBs have demonstrated their unique value to the UK during the coronavirus pandemic, finding new and innovative ways to bring relevant British content to audiences across the country and providing vital assistance of educational programmes for children learning from home. The Government also agrees with the Committee that the pandemic has reinforced the critical importance of free and easy access to trusted news provided by PSBs, both in terms of disseminating essential information and tackling disinformation and misinformation. The latter point remains a priority for this Government, as set out in previous responses to the Committee.