Maria Michalis gives evidence to MPs on the BBC Royal Charter Review

Professor Maria Michalis gave oral evidence to the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 2 June as part of its inquiry into the BBC Royal Charter Review, appearing alongside Professor Justin Lewis of Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Culture.

The session concentrated on how the BBC should be funded, and on what the United Kingdom might learn from funding arrangements elsewhere in Europe. Michalis argued the case for a reformed licence fee, and for future funding negotiations to be conducted under parliamentary and public scrutiny rather than settled privately between government and broadcaster. Her evidence drew on a written submission to the inquiry, published by the committee as BBC0093, and she followed the session with a further letter to the committee on 10 June.

The intervention continues a long record of policy engagement. Michalis is Professor of Communication Policy and Deputy Director of CAMRI, and has submitted evidence to successive parliamentary inquiries into public service broadcasting and BBC funding, including to the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee. Her research addresses broadcasting, telecommunications and internet policy in Britain and Europe, with a consistent focus on the public interest.

Photo by Martine Mussies on Unsplash