Grade Defends BBC's Independence

BBC chairman Michael Grade has defended the corporation's independence at the Governors' Annual General Meeting. Questioned as to whether party politics affected the broadcaster Grade said "The BBC is like China. It has been invaded many times but it has not been conquered." He went on to say;  "The BBC, if it is not independent, is not worth tuppence of your licence money."

The BBC Governors' AGM was held in Norwich, with over 150 licence fee payers attending, many of whom raised questions on programme quality. Other issues raised included bad language in peak-time programmes, the value of digital services and the use of background music. Before the event, more than 200 questions had been sent in to the governors' website.

On the low standards criticism, Grade said: "It is my judgement that the quality of BBC programming is beginning to improve overall quite markedly. There is a lot of weeding going on every year. There aren't going to be any more lifestyle programmes on the BBC unless they are very innovative and exceptional."

A member of the public was critical of the number of American films shown on BBC One and BBC Two and in response, Grade said: "There has been quite a dramatic reduction over the last 10 years in the use of American material." He went on: "It would be nice to see more world cinema... and, I agree, more British films on the BBC would be welcome."

On the panel alongside Mr Grade were vice-chairman Anthony Salz, and governors Jeremy Peat, Ranjit Sondhi and Deborah Bull. Director general Mark Thompson and his deputy, Mark Byford, were also on hand to answer questions.

The BBC's Board of Governors will be replaced at the end of 2006 with a new body called the BBC Trust, intended to be more removed from BBC management and more accountable to licence fee payers.