Publishers Call On BBC Trust To Reject Online Ads

An alliance of online publishers has called on the BBC Trust to reject the proposals to put advertisements on the Corporation’s overseas internet service.

The British Internet Publishers’ Alliance (BIPA) says that whilst such revenues might seem superficially attractive as a means of ‘augmenting’ the licence fee, the collateral damage to the private sector would far outweigh any benefits.

BIPA adds that such a move would seriously undermine the growth of British internet content provision globally and be the first step to more widespread commercialisation of the BBC’s websites in the UK.

Hugo Drayton, chairman of BIPA said: “The proposal by the BBC to sell advertising on its websites is a major concern to all commercial publishers who are investing in making the UK a centre of excellence in the digital age.

“As well as undermining the Corporation’s worldwide reputation for integrity and impartiality, there would be a serious negative impact on all UK publishers, most of whom depend on the growing online advertising market for their revenue models. Furthermore, especially in the light of recent history, this would be a first step on an inexorable route to advertising on the BBC’s publicly funded sites.”

“BIPA fears that if the proposal is accepted, it is unrealistic to believe in a future clear separation between the BBC’s public and commercial output; viewers and internet users move seamlessly from one part of the BBC’s empire to another. To permit advertising on any part of the BBC’s internet world will lead to a mixed-funding model – which has failed to maintain fair competition between private and public broadcasters in other European countries where this model prevails.”

Drayton added: “Because this is a commercial service, the much trumpeted new public value test will not be required. However, a BBC loophole means that publicly funded BBC outlets trailing content on bbc.com will be permitted because the content is ‘public service content’ carried by a commercial delivery system.

“The BBC already enjoys substantial advantages from cross subsidy and the cross promotion of its internet activities from its broad range of TV, radio and magazine properties.”

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk BIPA: http://www.bipa.co.uk