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BBC wants to be free
I couldn't help but notice a certain irony to Wired's embrace of the BBC. As Cory Doctorow writes, the BBC has been outdoing itself lately in opening up access to its content and encouraging its audience to remix, repurpose, and experiment. For the copyright reform movement, in has become a model media outlet. But how does this fit with Wired's free-market ethos? The BBC is closer to a socialist model than any mainstream outlet we have here in the US; it's funded by the British government, which charges TV owners a household license fee (tax). Are the libertarians finally recognizing the possible advantages of public funding?
Posted by carrie on 05/20/2005 | Permalink
Comments
The BBC isn't really 'funded by the government'. Not from taxes anyway. It would have vanished a long time ago if it was..... The Licence fee goes staight to the beeb, not through anywhere else. Otherwise, you're right. It is sort of socialist, especially compared to any US style of broadcasting. And it gives us in return no advertising, intelligent programming and is just great really!
Posted by: Jonathan Cronin | May 21, 2005 7:57:10 PM
and if you don't like their programming, NO TV FOR YOU!!
(the BBC agressively pursues people who do not pay fees to use a tv)
geez, sounds "great". no dissenters allowed.
Posted by: hornsofthedevil | May 22, 2005 6:27:33 PM
