What's the point of the BBC?

What is the BBC for?

Is it too big, too commercial, dumbed down? Is it still a trusted public service broadcaster whose licence fee should be preserved?

Big decisions are being made about the future of the BBC as the government reviews its royal charter. The government is asking for the public's views by the end of March.

With the dust still settling from the Hutton Report, Panorama tackles some of the trickiest questions facing Britain's oldest broadcaster.

In a special studio event presented by Gavin Esler, with links to audiences around the country, leading figures from inside and outside broadcasting - including acting Director general Mark Byford, David Elstein, Sir David Attenborough and others - present their visions of the future for the BBC.

Is the BBC too obsessed with chasing ratings? Can its journalism be trusted? Is it properly regulated? What is the future of its digital channels? What role should it play in a multi-channel world?

Production team:
Presenter: Gavin Esler
Producers: Eleanor Plowden, Sam Woodhouse
Deputy Editors: Andrew Bell, Sam Collyns
Editor: Mike Robinson

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Government Charter Review website
BBC Charter Review website
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