Laura Phillips
@lauraphillips.bsky.social
Campaigner to support the BBC, (not a BBC employee).It’s affected by savage UK govt cuts: c40% 2010-2024. BBC costs <48 pence/around 62 US cents a day per UK household. It’s a national public service broadcaster, respected worldwide for accurate reporting.
Me too. In fact they are free to hear, (no one has to have a licence to listen to them!) but licence fee funded. The radio, and #BBCSounds are my friends and companions.
November 11, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Me too. In fact they are free to hear, (no one has to have a licence to listen to them!) but licence fee funded. The radio, and #BBCSounds are my friends and companions.
Scott Fitzgerald ends: “One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless yet be determined to make them otherwise.” Sometimes it seems that way with the BBC. We must be determined. And successful. 21.
November 10, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Scott Fitzgerald ends: “One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless yet be determined to make them otherwise.” Sometimes it seems that way with the BBC. We must be determined. And successful. 21.
It is imperative IMO that our government+other political parties step up to defend the BBC, to bolster its political independence, make its Charter permanent+provide adequate, stable funding to ensure its future. 20/
November 10, 2025 at 7:10 PM
It is imperative IMO that our government+other political parties step up to defend the BBC, to bolster its political independence, make its Charter permanent+provide adequate, stable funding to ensure its future. 20/
None of this, of course, excuses editorial sloppiness or BBC Board delay in acting or communicating. There also seems to be a divide between younger more progressive members of staff and older hands as detailed by Mark Urban.18/
November 10, 2025 at 7:09 PM
None of this, of course, excuses editorial sloppiness or BBC Board delay in acting or communicating. There also seems to be a divide between younger more progressive members of staff and older hands as detailed by Mark Urban.18/
Academic study is needed to assess whether these concerns are based in fact and evidence. They should not be dismissed. Stephen Sackur has suggested that some of Prescott’s analysis is itself “opinion driven.” 17/
November 10, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Academic study is needed to assess whether these concerns are based in fact and evidence. They should not be dismissed. Stephen Sackur has suggested that some of Prescott’s analysis is itself “opinion driven.” 17/
Prescott had concerns about BBC coverage of Israel/Gaza +women’s rights v trans rights. Many have concerns on both sides of these issues. That doesn’t mean that the BBC has these issues right, or that these concerns are well-founded. 16/
November 10, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Prescott had concerns about BBC coverage of Israel/Gaza +women’s rights v trans rights. Many have concerns on both sides of these issues. That doesn’t mean that the BBC has these issues right, or that these concerns are well-founded. 16/
Prescott, is former political editor of Murdoch's Sunday Times. His PR firm has Sky as its client, (Sky is bidding to buy ITV – a rival PSB to the BBC) He has voiced concerns on one side of the cultural divide which polarizes us. 15/
November 10, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Prescott, is former political editor of Murdoch's Sunday Times. His PR firm has Sky as its client, (Sky is bidding to buy ITV – a rival PSB to the BBC) He has voiced concerns on one side of the cultural divide which polarizes us. 15/
What damages the #BBC in the #US, therefore, might benefit the #Telegraph’s ambitions to expand there? Trump's press secretary has now urged audiences to watch GBNews. 14/
November 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
What damages the #BBC in the #US, therefore, might benefit the #Telegraph’s ambitions to expand there? Trump's press secretary has now urged audiences to watch GBNews. 14/
The BBC has expanded its operations in the US in recent years under the aegis of Deborah Turness and Tim Davie, as it saw a gap in the market for impartial news coverage in a highly polarized media landscape.13/
November 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
The BBC has expanded its operations in the US in recent years under the aegis of Deborah Turness and Tim Davie, as it saw a gap in the market for impartial news coverage in a highly polarized media landscape.13/
BBC Business Ed Simon Jack reported in May: “RedBird founder Gerry Cardinale told the BBC he had plans to expand the Telegraph's reach+subscriber base in the US, believing there to be a gap in the market.”12/
November 10, 2025 at 7:06 PM
BBC Business Ed Simon Jack reported in May: “RedBird founder Gerry Cardinale told the BBC he had plans to expand the Telegraph's reach+subscriber base in the US, believing there to be a gap in the market.”12/
BBC Business Ed Simon Jack reported in May: “RedBird founder Gerry Cardinale told the BBC he had plans to expand the Telegraph's reach+subscriber base in the US, believing there to be a gap in the market.”12/
November 10, 2025 at 7:05 PM
BBC Business Ed Simon Jack reported in May: “RedBird founder Gerry Cardinale told the BBC he had plans to expand the Telegraph's reach+subscriber base in the US, believing there to be a gap in the market.”12/
Whatever the truth, someone deliberately leaked the Michael Prescott document to the #Telegraph, which is being bought by Red Bird. It’s an implacable enemy+commercial rival of the #BBC, and President #Trump was informed. 11/
November 10, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Whatever the truth, someone deliberately leaked the Michael Prescott document to the #Telegraph, which is being bought by Red Bird. It’s an implacable enemy+commercial rival of the #BBC, and President #Trump was informed. 11/
Some speak of a “#coup” by right wing board members including #RobbieGibb, a former Director of Comms for Theresa May. Others pour scorn on that idea. Gibb and Prescott are said to be friends. 10/
November 10, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Some speak of a “#coup” by right wing board members including #RobbieGibb, a former Director of Comms for Theresa May. Others pour scorn on that idea. Gibb and Prescott are said to be friends. 10/
It seems, however, that #BBC News executives were ready to apologise publicly for the #Trump/#Panorama error earlier than today, but that the board blocked that apology. Why was the board so slow? 9/
November 10, 2025 at 7:04 PM
It seems, however, that #BBC News executives were ready to apologise publicly for the #Trump/#Panorama error earlier than today, but that the board blocked that apology. Why was the board so slow? 9/
I am confused as to whether that lack was due to a stubborn defence of the programme by the former CEO Deborah Turness+editorial team, or because the BBC Board was taking its time or thought it could ignore the issue? 8/
November 10, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I am confused as to whether that lack was due to a stubborn defence of the programme by the former CEO Deborah Turness+editorial team, or because the BBC Board was taking its time or thought it could ignore the issue? 8/
That is one issue. But it seems no action was taken on the Trump Panorama error, which should have been dealt with immediately, as soon as it was spotted – as a matter of course. There was a lack of rigour+action.7/
November 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM
That is one issue. But it seems no action was taken on the Trump Panorama error, which should have been dealt with immediately, as soon as it was spotted – as a matter of course. There was a lack of rigour+action.7/
From what I understand, #BBC chair Samir Shah makes it clear that actions were taken to combat Prescott’s concerns about the #impartiality of BBC Arabic, but the public knew none of this until the Prescott memo was leaked. 6/
November 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM
From what I understand, #BBC chair Samir Shah makes it clear that actions were taken to combat Prescott’s concerns about the #impartiality of BBC Arabic, but the public knew none of this until the Prescott memo was leaked. 6/
Defunding by the previous government has led to cuts in staff. Staff cuts can impact rigour, morale and efficiency in any organization. They can also inhibit challenge+debate, when people are fearful for their jobs. 5/
November 10, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Defunding by the previous government has led to cuts in staff. Staff cuts can impact rigour, morale and efficiency in any organization. They can also inhibit challenge+debate, when people are fearful for their jobs. 5/