TV Channel Stares Down Culture Warriors

Michael Hedges January 9, 2023 - Follow on Twitter

Television became central to popular culture in the middle of the last century. The bright light in the living room illuminated, for many, a broader world. At its best television was compelling, attracting creative talent that, in turn, attracted viewers. "This medium can teach," said an early observer to its power. That understanding, in this century, struck fear in certain quarters. Dictators and authoritarians, the world over, took steps to control TV.

Current UK Culture Minister Michelle Donelan more or less officially spiked government plans to privatize Channel 4. “Pursuing a sale at this point is not the right decision,” she wrote in correspondence to prime minister Rishi Sunak, revealed by the News Agents podcast, quoted by the Guardian (January 4), “and there are better ways to secure (Channel 4 Corporation’s) sustainability and that of the independent production sector.” Among the broad UK media sector there was no support for privatizing Channel 4, which had been pitched by Minister Donelan’s predecessor as part of the right-wing “culture wars.”

Channel 4 is a special part of the UK media landscape. Legally, it is in the public service, like the BBC and ITV. The principal financing for Channel 4, however, comes from advertising, sponsorships and small amounts from program rights sales overseas. It is known for alternative “distinctive” programming produced by independent producers and Minister Donelan’s proposal includes allowing the channel to produce some content in-house. News programs are produced by ITN. Channel 4 has been on-the-air since 1982. Its best known show is The Great British Bake Off, not particularly controversial. (See more about media in the UK here)

Shortly after the government statement was released, Channel 4 director general Alex Mahon praised the culture secretary as “smart and sensible,” reported Deadline (January 5). “She understands what will make us sustainable and that you need a different voice in the market.” She also asked staff to refrain from commenting until an official statement was released by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). “There can be no certainty about the outcome of our discussions with the government unless and until a formal announcement is made by the secretary of state.”

Also pleased was the UK advertising community, always grasping the worry-beads. “Certainty for those planning advertising campaigns, supports the UK’s creative industries, and backs future investment in all regions and nations,” intoned ISBA director general Phil Smith, quoted by The Drum (January 4). Far less effusive was independent producer’s association PACT. “Whilst it is clearly the right decision by the Government to reverse the privatization of Channel 4, the decision to allow Channel 4 to produce its own in-house programming has the potential to achieve the same damaging outcome if there are not effective protections put in place,” said PACT chairperson Jane Muirhead.

Unsurprisingly, former Culture Minister Nadine Dorries, who led the most recent efforts to sell Channel 4, offered an unhappy social media rant. “Three years of a progressive (sic) Tory (right-wing) government being washed down the drain,” quoted by the Mirror (January 5). She repeated the inaccurate claim that Channel 4 received government funding. It has not. Ms Dorries served under the departed prime minister Boris Johnson who was infuriated when Channel 4 replaced him with a dripping ice sculpture at a 2019 debate on climate change that he refused to attend.

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