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BBC 'arrogant' over money-making | BBC 'arrogant' over money-making |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The BBC's governing body has been accused of "arrogance" over its response to criticism of the corporation's commercial activities. | The BBC's governing body has been accused of "arrogance" over its response to criticism of the corporation's commercial activities. |
In April the Select Committee on Culture Media and Sport criticised BBC activities that generate income, saying they were harming its competitors. | In April the Select Committee on Culture Media and Sport criticised BBC activities that generate income, saying they were harming its competitors. |
However the trust told the committee it could not answer all the criticisms as it was conducting its own review. | |
The MPs said this response showed an "apparent arrogance" by the trust. | |
In their report in April, MPs strongly criticised BBC Worldwide's purchase of the Lonely Planet travel guides, which publishes guidebooks and a magazine for independent travellers. | In their report in April, MPs strongly criticised BBC Worldwide's purchase of the Lonely Planet travel guides, which publishes guidebooks and a magazine for independent travellers. |
Tighter controls | Tighter controls |
They recommended that the BBC Trust should impose tighter controls over the BBC's commercial activities, saying they were harming its competitors and should be reined in. | They recommended that the BBC Trust should impose tighter controls over the BBC's commercial activities, saying they were harming its competitors and should be reined in. |
The MPs said: "The purchase of Lonely Planet remains the most egregious example of the nature of BBC Worldwide's expansion into areas where the BBC has no, or very limited existing interests. | The MPs said: "The purchase of Lonely Planet remains the most egregious example of the nature of BBC Worldwide's expansion into areas where the BBC has no, or very limited existing interests. |
"Had the BBC Trust been a more responsible oversight body, it would have given more serious consideration to the likely impact on the commercial sector. We can only speculate as to why it did not." | "Had the BBC Trust been a more responsible oversight body, it would have given more serious consideration to the likely impact on the commercial sector. We can only speculate as to why it did not." |
The BBC Trust defended the Lonely Planet purchase but told the committee it could not respond to all the recommendations because it was conducting its own review of BBC Worldwide - and there were talks over a possible tie-up with Channel 4. | The BBC Trust defended the Lonely Planet purchase but told the committee it could not respond to all the recommendations because it was conducting its own review of BBC Worldwide - and there were talks over a possible tie-up with Channel 4. |
The MPs said the trust appeared to believe it had no case to answer and its response was not "coherent". | |
However the select committee welcomed an announcement by the trust last week, changing the governance of BBC Worldwide as the committee had recommended. |