Wild speculation about what might happen in five years is used to batter the Beeb
You have to hand it to the Tory press’s ‘war on the BBC’. It can be very creative.
Today the Daily Mail reports on how the BBC will cover the cost of free TV licences for over-75s, as part of the government’s ‘reforms’ of the corporation.
However, the Mail went with a more imaginative angle:
BBC could force more OAPs to pay licence fee
Eh?
“Middle-class pensioners may have to start paying for their television licence within five years, under new government plans.
The BBC will have to pick up the £650million-a-year bill for providing free TV licences to the over-75s, the culture secretary confirmed yesterday.
However, in a move that could hit millions of middle-class families, it will be allowed to change the rules from 2020.”
The Mail is referring to a hypothetical decision by the BBC, in five years time, to start charging more people than they charge now for a TV licence.
Thus the paper is reporting on bad things the BBC hasn’t even thought about doing yet. It goes on:
“That means it will be at liberty to raise the age at which people are entitled to a free television licence, or to introduce a means-testing system so that they are only given to poorer pensioners.”
All of this is pure speculation. The paper has conjured up a threat to ‘middle-class pensioners’ (i.e. lots of their readers) from an evil money grabbing TV broadcaster, based solely on its imagination.
The fact that the BBC could do this (and many other things, like actually lower the age of exemption) does not mean it will.
So what’s the story?
Adam Barnett is a staff writer at Left Foot Forward. Follow MediaWatch on Twitter
Read more:
‘Anti-imperialist’ attacks on BBC from the Tory press ring hollow
Does the Mail’s Quentin Letts write for Mills & Boon on the side?
Sign up for our weekly email by clicking here.
To reach hundreds of thousands of new readers and to make the biggest impact we can in the next general election, we need to grow our donor base substantially.
That's why in 2024, we are seeking to generate 150 additional regular donors to support Left Foot Forward's work.
We still need another 124 people to donate to hit the target. You can help. Donate today.
39 Responses to “Daily Mail blasts BBC for imaginary crime against pensioners in 2020”
Cole
It’s interesting – if alarming – to get inside their minds. Yesterday, one of them complained about the number of Jews on BBC TV. He’d actually been counting them.
stevep
Perhaps we should show the poor misled creatures pity, not blame……….. Nahhh!…. Let`s “out” them and call `em for what they are! Tory Trolls!!
DaHitman
Forcing people to fund their viewing habits yes “The Fascists of the future will be the anti-fascists.”
DaHitman
Trouble is TV wont vanish if the TV Licence is abolished so you don’t need it but you will need the NHS, comrade
DaHitman
Channel 4 is a public service to and costs NOTHING, Sherlock http://www.channel4.com/info/corporate/about