Readers defend the national broadcaster against the Conservatives’ plan to abolish the licence fee
As I read Polly Toynbee’s article on the government’s intention to end the BBC’s licence fee (The BBC must defend itself with all its might against this mortal threat, 16 January), I felt a sense of despair rarely experienced in my 70-plus years on this earth. Once again, this government is continuing along the path taken by so many corrupt and failing states by taking away yet another fundamental pillar that helps create a strong democratic society – access to a fair, independent and balanced news media prepared to inform, educate and challenge.
This is just one aspect of the government’s wider agenda designed to restrict all that is essential for a robust and healthy democracy. The list is extensive: cronyism through the awarding of contracts without due process; legislation restricting the democratic right to peaceful protest; manipulating voting processes and constituency boundaries for party political gain; the prorogation of parliament to avoid scrutiny and debate; interfering with and undermining the authority of those implementing judicial and disciplinary processes.
