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Thompson to outline BBC strategy Thompson to outline BBC strategy
(about 1 hour later)
The BBC is set to publish a strategy which could see its website scaled back and digital radio stations 6 Music and Asian Network closed.The BBC is set to publish a strategy which could see its website scaled back and digital radio stations 6 Music and Asian Network closed.
Director General Mark Thompson will set out the plans, which could see an extra £600m diverted into programme-making. Director General Mark Thompson will set out the plans, which could see an extra £600m (£893m) diverted into programmes.
Writing in the Guardian, he said the corporation must focus on providing quality and originality and "not attempt to do everything".Writing in the Guardian, he said the corporation must focus on providing quality and originality and "not attempt to do everything".
Rumours of the closures provoked anger among unions and the stations' fans.Rumours of the closures provoked anger among unions and the stations' fans.
Union leaders have warned of industrial action.Union leaders have warned of industrial action.
The new strategy was commissioned by the BBC's governing body, the BBC Trust, last summer.The new strategy was commissioned by the BBC's governing body, the BBC Trust, last summer.
[The BBC] must listen to legitimate concerns from commercial media players more carefully than it has in the past Mark Thompson[The BBC] must listen to legitimate concerns from commercial media players more carefully than it has in the past Mark Thompson
The Times claimed last week it had seen leaked documents suggesting that as well as the station closures, the number of web pages would be halved and online staff cut by a quarter.The Times claimed last week it had seen leaked documents suggesting that as well as the station closures, the number of web pages would be halved and online staff cut by a quarter.
Imported TV shows and sport were also set to be cut, it said.Imported TV shows and sport were also set to be cut, it said.
However, Mr Thompson insisted the strategy was not a "blueprint for a small BBC, or a BBC that is in retreat from digital".However, Mr Thompson insisted the strategy was not a "blueprint for a small BBC, or a BBC that is in retreat from digital".
Rather, he said, the corporation must be "clearer about its own limits within public space".Rather, he said, the corporation must be "clearer about its own limits within public space".
"Where actual or potential market impact outweighs public value, the BBC should leave space for others," he said."Where actual or potential market impact outweighs public value, the BBC should leave space for others," he said.
"It must listen to legitimate concerns from commercial media players more carefully than it has in the past, and act sooner to meet them.""It must listen to legitimate concerns from commercial media players more carefully than it has in the past, and act sooner to meet them."
In recent months, the BBC has been the focus of criticism in some of the independent media.In recent months, the BBC has been the focus of criticism in some of the independent media.
Last August, James Murdoch, chairman of News Corporation - which owns the Times and the Sun and is the largest shareholder in BSkyB - said that a "dominant" BBC was threatening independent journalism in the UK.Last August, James Murdoch, chairman of News Corporation - which owns the Times and the Sun and is the largest shareholder in BSkyB - said that a "dominant" BBC was threatening independent journalism in the UK.
The BBC's spending has also been the focus of attention, amid criticism of salaries paid to senior managers and stars.The BBC's spending has also been the focus of attention, amid criticism of salaries paid to senior managers and stars.
Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said on Sunday there was "good reason" for a debate on the licence fee, having previously said there was "a case" for funding cuts.Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said on Sunday there was "good reason" for a debate on the licence fee, having previously said there was "a case" for funding cuts.
Proposals are expected to be submitted to the trust within the next month. If approved, they are likely to be put out for public consultation.Proposals are expected to be submitted to the trust within the next month. If approved, they are likely to be put out for public consultation.
'Cultural vandalism''Cultural vandalism'
The review could also recommend the disposal of BBC Worldwide's UK magazine titles, which include Top Gear, Radio Times, BBC Good Food and Gardeners' World.The review could also recommend the disposal of BBC Worldwide's UK magazine titles, which include Top Gear, Radio Times, BBC Good Food and Gardeners' World.
Mr Thompson wrote that the corporation's commercial activities should help to fund but "never distort or supplant" its public mission.Mr Thompson wrote that the corporation's commercial activities should help to fund but "never distort or supplant" its public mission.
The music industry has been quick to voice dissent over the potential for station closures.The music industry has been quick to voice dissent over the potential for station closures.
The heads of the British Phonographic Institute and the Association of Independent Music have written to Mr Thompson saying they are "surprised and alarmed" by the reports.The heads of the British Phonographic Institute and the Association of Independent Music have written to Mr Thompson saying they are "surprised and alarmed" by the reports.
Comedian and DJ Phill Jupitus described the potential axing of 6 Music as "an act of cultural vandalism".Comedian and DJ Phill Jupitus described the potential axing of 6 Music as "an act of cultural vandalism".
At the weekend, Sunny Hundal, editor of Asians in Media magazine, told BBC Radio 5 live that cutting the Asian Network would deprive listeners of a valuable place where Asian content was integrated with mainstream output.At the weekend, Sunny Hundal, editor of Asians in Media magazine, told BBC Radio 5 live that cutting the Asian Network would deprive listeners of a valuable place where Asian content was integrated with mainstream output.
Meanwhile, National Union of Journalists general secretary Jeremy Dear said: "These plans smack of an attempt to appease commercial and political interests.Meanwhile, National Union of Journalists general secretary Jeremy Dear said: "These plans smack of an attempt to appease commercial and political interests.
"Public pressure can help persuade the BBC to put its viewers and listeners first, rather than allowing the corporate media barons to have their way and begin dismantling a vital national service.""Public pressure can help persuade the BBC to put its viewers and listeners first, rather than allowing the corporate media barons to have their way and begin dismantling a vital national service."