About

Launched in May as an independent section of openDemocracy, ourBeeb.com is a digital challenge to the old order, seeking to make the BBC's next Director General truly accountable to the public, and debate the future of our BBC. This is a critical time for public service broadcasting, and the challenges of massive cuts and rapid technological change must be addressed head on. 

It's not just cricket...

The advent of digital technology and the increasing dominance of commercial channels has stripped the BBC of its monopoly on sports coverage. With a summer of high-profile competitions upon us, the BBC have to up their game or risk losing out. 

Guaranteeing access to the UK's 'collective abundance': how the BBC can lead the way in creating a Digital Public Space

A clarion call by the BBC's Controller of Archive Development, Tony Ageh, to create a new kind of commons: a digital public space, populated with unimaginable cultural riches

The BBC and media plurality: Ofcom strikes back with a damp cloth

The latest Ofcom report on media plurality has made some progress in establishing an appropriate scope, limits and metric for measuring media consumption in the UK. Most significant is their flagging up the dominance of the BBC regarding news programming, a fact made worrying by the institution’s current lack of commitment to internal plurality.  

Editor’s blog: opaque, remote, and unaccountable - the BBC needs its own glasnost

After Lis Howell's survey of her journalism students, and calls from right and left alike for some democratic accountability at the top of the BBC, one conclusion is clear: the Beeb needs to open up its operations to the people who pay for it.

How much do journalism students know about who runs the BBC?

Deputy Head of Broadcasting at City University's famous journalism school Lis Howell interrogates her postgraduate students about the DG race, and suggests that if the brightest talent in the country know and care as little as they do about it, then there's something wrong with the process

From 'special interest' to public interest: minority programming and the BBC’s democratic mandate

One of the BBC's most lauded strengths is its ability to tailor programming for its audiences' special interests. The future DG should attempt to harness the ethos of this diverse and high quality output with a view to rebuilding the institution's democratic vision. 

It’s the journalism, stupid: defending free expression can be the BBC’s new gift to the world

As freedom of expression and journalistic independence comes under renewed threat in eastern Europe and around the world, the BBC should be confronting censorship abroad head-on, as well as leading by example

BBC beta – Any better?

The latest incarnation of the BBC website is a revealing insight into the institution's changing priorities. But what does the new, stark layout reveal about the influence of Government policy on public service broadcasting in the UK? 

Editor's blog: ourBeeb in The Observer, and BBC Jubilee coverage

Henry Porter's searing critique of the BBC's lack of openness and accountability struck a chord with The Observer's readers, and with the purpose of ourBeeb. But how do we best make our case to the institution - through petitions, or argument?

Trust, universalism and funding the BBC: video highlights of a debate with Greg Dyke

Video highlights of a debate over the future of the BBC with Greg Dyke, Lis Howell, Liz Forgan, Helena Kennnedy, David Elstein and Anthony Barnett, on trust, legitimacy, universalism and how to pay for them regarding Britain's public service broadcaster. 

The BBC must join the fight for internet freedom: an open letter to the new DG

In an open letter to the BBC's future Director General, Nick Fraser, editor of the internationally renowned documentary series Storyville, calls for an embrace of online resources as the focus for a renewed strategy to defend liberty and assert long term vision. 

Bias, balance and public interest: is the BBC suffering from the Dunning-Kruger effect?

The BBC has been criticised by several groups for its pro-Government stance during coverage of the run up and implementation of the NHS reforms. Alongside previous accusations of its left wing bias, this debate raises important questions about the institution’s capacity to fulfil its mandate of impartiality. 

Radio 4's Today programme is just an old boys' club

The smug atmosphere on Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs programme is indicative of entrenched elitism, argues Eli Davies

Editor's blog: a Scottish Broadcasting Corporation?

BBC Director General Mark Thompson addressed MSPs on issues facing the BBC north of the border, most notably the huge, careful coverage they will need to provide of the Scottish independence referendum

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