This comment piece first appeared in TopMob magazine, as told to Michael Hodges.
With so much noise online and everyone’s focus shifting, many people are predicting the end of traditional broadcast TV. However, I don’t think it’s finished yet.
Today, we’re constantly hit with a flood of unreliable information and false claims. News spreads rapidly and is often twisted online, especially on social media. This can turn events, like the current conflict in the Middle East, into heated arguments where everyone believes their perspective is the only valid one, and no one is willing to compromise.
The BBC’s commitment to providing quality, unbiased programming – rooted in its founding principles – is crucial today. Understanding the past is essential if we want to reliably distinguish fact from fiction.
The BBC often serves as a reliable source of information, offering a space where learning can be enjoyable if a story is well-told. The best BBC documentaries let viewers explore a topic fully, without feeling pressured to side with any particular group or belief.
When I accepted a BAFTA for The Road to Auschwitz (which also won an Emmy as The Holocaust: 80 Years On), I was sincere when I said only the BBC would have commissioned it. This is because by making and broadcasting our documentary, the BBC demonstrated a willingness to stand firm against the negativity and outrage often found online, rather than backing down.
I hope my Holocaust film and other documentaries from the BBC can be regularly shown in UK and American schools and colleges. It’s crucial to reach students while we have their full attention – a rare moment when they’re not distracted by their phones – and share truthful, important stories that encourage them to think critically and ask tough questions.
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Honestly, I don’t worry too much about how people watch things these days. If the BBC keeps making bold and interesting films – which they are! – it doesn’t really matter if we’re watching on a laptop, our phones, or good old-fashioned TV. The core of filmmaking itself hasn’t changed one bit. And let’s be real, who hasn’t watched an entire movie on their phone at some point?
I’m not too concerned about the platforms themselves, but I am worried about funding. Reform Party has stated they would get rid of the licence fee if they win the election, and that would be a huge mistake – essentially damaging a valuable national asset. The BBC is highly regarded around the world. Having lived in the US for a long time, I can assure you just how exceptional the BBC truly is.
It’s not unusual for people to question the value of the BBC licence fee. Back in 1986, when the fee went up, and there was talk of the BBC being funded by advertising, John Cleese made a funny short film for the BBC. It was a take on a famous scene from Monty Python’s Life of Brian. In the film, Cleese enters a pub and asks, “What has the BBC ever done for us?” and is then answered by a collection of well-known BBC personalities – including David Attenborough, Terry Wogan, and Esther Rantzen – who list all the benefits the BBC provides.
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Despite the current challenges, the BBC can still thrive. Today’s media landscape is highly competitive and driven by social media, which often fuels complaints. However, technological progress doesn’t have to be detrimental or dominate our culture. During the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s, Charles Dickens successfully published substantial work weekly – magazines people eagerly awaited. Interestingly, his novels also critiqued the industrial system that supported Britain at the time.
It’s a strength of Britain that we can embrace many different ideas and still feel a sense of national identity. The BBC is a prime example of something we should be celebrating, and I’m happy to do so – whether anyone asks me to or not.
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2026-06-16 02:35