Stop 'chilling' political interference in BBC, says ex-news boss

In his annual lecture, the BBC's former director of news, James Harding, has called for an end to "chilling" political interference in the broadcaster's operations. Harding warned that the BBC's independence is under threat, with the government seeking to exert greater control over the organization's decision-making. He highlighted concerns about the government's influence over the BBC's funding, leadership, and editorial decisions, arguing that this undermines the broadcaster's ability to serve the public impartially. Harding stressed the importance of the BBC maintaining its reputation for trustworthy and impartial journalism, which he said is crucial for a healthy democracy. The former news boss urged the government to respect the BBC's editorial independence and to refrain from using the broadcaster's license fee as a bargaining chip. He also called for greater transparency and accountability in the process of appointing the BBC's senior leadership. Overall, Harding's remarks underscore the ongoing tensions between the BBC and the government, as both parties seek to shape the future of public broadcasting in the UK.