The Culture Secretary has written to Rishi Sunak recommending the federal government drops its plans to privatise Channel 4, in accordance with reviews.
Michelle Donelan’s predecessor Nadine Dorries introduced the choice to take the broadcaster out of public possession throughout former PM Boris Johnson’s premiership.
When Ms Dorries introduced the plans, she stated it was so the broadcaster can higher survive in a media panorama dominated by the likes of Netflix and Amazon.
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Ms Donelan, who was appointed tradition secretary by Liz Truss and remained within the position after Mr Sunak took over as prime minister, had beforehand forged doubt on plans to privatise the broadcaster.
She had stated she was re-examining the “business case” to verify “we still agree with that decision”.
But a leaked letter written by Ms Donelan to Mr Sunak, seen by The News Agents podcast on Wednesday, allegedly reveals the tradition secretary appears to be like set to scrap the coverage.
A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson stated: “We do not comment on speculation.
“The DCMS secretary of state has been clear that we’re trying once more on the enterprise case for the sale of Channel 4. We will announce extra on our plans in the end.”
Channel 4 was created in 1982 by Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative authorities and is completely funded by promoting, out of public possession. Everything it airs is commissioned from exterior manufacturing corporations.
Former tradition secretary Ms Dorries criticised the reported transfer, tweeting: “Three years of a progressive Tory government being washed down the drain. Levelling up, dumped. Social care reform, dumped. Keeping young and vulnerable people safe online, watered down.
“A bonfire of EU leg, not taking place. Sale of C4 giving again £2b reversed. Replaced with what?
“A policy at some time in the future to teach maths for longer with teachers we don’t yet even have to do so. Where is the mandate – who voted for this?
“Will now be nearly not possible to face the voters at a GE and count on voters to consider or belief our manifesto commitments.”
But other Conservative MPs and members of the opposition parties have praised the apparent change of policy.
Former Tory minister Stephen Hammond said: “I’ve at all times thought that its business future may be extra sustainably secured by a brand new mandate throughout the present mannequin,” he posted on social media.
“This resolution will make sure the unbiased UK manufacturing business will proceed to thrive and prosper.”
While fellow senior Conservative Simon Hoare added: “A welcome and wonderful resolution/suggestion by Michelle Donelan: If it ain’t broke; do not repair it!”
Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell said: “The Conservatives’ vendetta towards Channel 4 was at all times unsuitable for Britain, progress in our artistic financial system, and a whole waste of everybody’s time.
“Our broadcasting and creative industries lead the world, yet this government has hamstrung them for the last year with the total distraction of Channel 4 privatisation.
“Labour opposed this unload, and took a robust stand towards it.
“The government must now bring forward the Media Bill to protect and promote Britain’s broadcasters in the streaming age.”
Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone added that the plans to unload Channel 4 had been “nothing more than a culture war waged by a rash and reckless cabinet”.
Source: information.sky.com”