Tessa Jowell Adds New Conditions To BBC News 24

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell today announced tough new conditions, which will be attached to the approvals for BBC News 24, requiring the BBC to ensure that it is distinct from commercial channels.

As a result of Richard Lambert's independent review of News 24, published today, Tessa Jowell has asked the BBC Governors to revisit the commitments given in the News 24 Statement of Programme Policy, issued in July 2001.


Mr Lambert recommends that, within the existing approvals, the BBC Governors should provide News 24 with a clearer sense of direction through a revised remit, which will ensure that the channel provides a distinct public service rolling news schedule.


Among the recommendations in the review, Richard Lambert recommends that:


• the Governors revise News 24's remit to give the service a much clearer sense of direction;


• the Governors report more fully in their annual report on the service and delivery of its objectives;


• the BBC should publish further financial details of the service and of the financial relationship between its subsidised and commercial news services.


To deliver the changes that Richard Lambert suggests, Tessa Jowell has added new conditions to the News 24 approvals. 


These conditions require the Governors:

  • To publish their response to the Lambert report by the end of February 2003;
  • to make public a revised remit for the service, taking account of Richard Lambert's recommendations, by the end of April 2003;

Tessa Jowell may also impose a further condition requiring the Governors to report more fully on the delivery of News 24 in the BBC's annual reports.  She will, however, defer a final decision on this until the BBC's full response to the review has been received.


In announcing her decision to add new conditions to the News 24 approvals, Tessa Jowell said:


"I've said before, that the BBC should provide us with public service channels that are distinctive from commercial channels.  I see no reason why News 24 should be any different.


"Richard Lambert's report has persuaded me that the BBC Governors need to deliver a clearer remit for News 24, one that will produce a high quality public service rolling news service whilst at the same time develop a distinct identity for the channel, setting it apart from other 24 hour news services. I think that the new conditions will help the BBC to focus on achieving this goal."


Notes to Editors


1. The report, "The Independent Review of BBC News 24", can be found on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website.


2. The original approval for BBC News 24 was given in March 1997.


3. The terms of reference for the independent review of BBC News 24 were set out by Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, on March 21, 2002:


The independent reviewer shall:

  • Consider whether, in delivering its News 24 service, the BBC is acting in accordance with the facts and assurances upon which approval to proceed with the service is given;
  • Have regard, in reaching any conclusions, to:

    a) The BBC's own report on the performance of News 24 and to any subsequent evidence provided by the Corporation; and
    b) Views submitted by any other interested parties in response to the BBC's report;
  • Submit a report to the Secretary of State, in publishable form, by the end of June 2002, setting out his conclusions and, if appropriate, making any recommendations he believes necessary to ensure that News 24 is operated in line with the original approval. 

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