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The Media Show: Benefits Street; future of the BBC

Benefits Street; future of the BBC

15/01/2014

BBC Radio 4 - The Media Show, Benefits Street; future of the BBC

Does Channel 4's Benefits Street reinforce harmful stereotypes or depict reality?

A major inquiry into the future of the BBC begins, and does Channel 4's Benefits Street reinforce harmful stereotypes or depict the reality of life on benefits?

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has begun an inquiry into the Future of the BBC, ahead of the corporations current Royal Charter ending in December 2016. It will look at the role of the organisation, how it's funded, and discuss alternatives to the present licence fee. Steve Hewlett speaks to the Chairman of the Committee, Conservative MP John Whittingdale about the scope of the inquiry and what he's hoping to achieve. Also in the studio is John Tate who, as a former Head of Strategy of the organisation, was instrumental in the last licence fee settlement. He tells Steve why the independence of the BBC needs even greater safeguarding in the course of Charter renewal and licence fee negotiation

Critics of Benefits Street have called it, 'poverty porn' that reinforces harmful stereotypes; Channel 4 describes it as a, 'series that reveals the reality of life on benefits'. Since it's airing last week, the programme about residents of James Turner Street has induced an online petition, protests outside the production office, and a question in parliament. So, what did Channel 4 have in mind when it commissioned the series? And is the programme really representing benefit claimants? Steve Hewlett discusses with Ralph Lee, Head of Factual at Channel 4, Executive Producer of Benefits Street Keiran Smith, and Katharine Sacks-Jones from the Who Benefits? campaign.

Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

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