LETTER: Bullying tactics by the BBC

Tuesday 29 April 1997 23:02 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Anyone attracted by the idea of a TV-free home ("Backlash against the television starts here", 26 April) should note a snag. You will get formal written demands to "declare" that you have no TV.

Those affected by this offensive "guilty until you declare your innocence" approach include people with sight impairments, many of the elderly, and those too poor to afford a licence and too honest to watch without one.

The BBC has refused to alter the practice. If it cannot collect licence revenue without bullying vulnerable people, then it is time for it to find another form of revenue-raising.

Dr CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS

University of Birmingham

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

LETTER: Bullying tactics by the BBC

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering