Incorporating HCP 598 i-x, session 2003-04

As the world's most famous media brand faces the greatest PR crisis in its history, Robin Aitken gives an insider's view.

A brilliantly researched and gripping history of the BBC, from its origins to the present day. 'The book could scarcely be better or better timed. It is elegantly written, closely argued, balanced, pulls no punches.' MELVYN BRAGG, GUARDIAN Charlotte Higgins, the Guardian's chief culture writer, steps behind the polished doors of Broadcasting House and investigates the BBC. Based on her hugely popular essay series, this personal journey answers the questions that rage around this vulnerable, maddening and uniquely British institution. Questions such as: what does the BBC mean to us now? What are the threats to its continued existence? Is it worth fighting for? Higgins traces its origins, celebrating the early pioneering spirit and unearthing forgotten characters whose imprint can still be seen on the BBC today. She explores how it forged ideas of Britishness both at home and abroad. She shows how controversy is in its DNA and brings us right up to date through interviews with grandees and loyalists, embattled press officers and high profile dissenters, and she sheds new light on recent feuds and scandals. This is a deeply researched, lyrically written, intriguing portrait of an institution at the heart of Britain. 'Engrossing.' EVENING STANDARD 'Beautifully written'. THE SPECTATOR 'Exactly observed and beautifully written.' MAIL ON SUNDAY 'A loving portrait . . . never creaks with excess.' FINANCIAL TIMES 'A pleasingly intricate jigsaw of biography, politics, and opinion.' INDEPENDENT 'Excellent and enthralling . . . informative, educational and entertaining.' GUARDIAN

There's a war on against the BBC. It is under threat as never before. And if we lose it, we won't get it back. The BBC is our most important cultural institution, our best-value entertainment provider, and the global face of Britain. It's our most trusted news source in a world of divisive disinformation. But it is facing relentless attacks by powerful commercial and political enemies, including deep funding cuts - much deeper than most people realise - with imminent further cuts threatened. This book busts the myths about the BBC and shows us how we can save it, before it's too late.

This book shows how disinformation spread by partisan organizations and media platforms undermines institutional legitimacy on which authoritative information depends.

As the centenary of the BBC approaches in October 2022, there will be much sturm und drang not least from the BBC itself. Like measles it will be all over the radio and television schedules. The storm clouds gathering over new Broadcasting House have got darker. The attacks on the Corporation grow from all sides day by day. One of our great British cultural inventions maybe in existential danger. It needs an 'NHS moment; the Johnson government bears it ill. The question is will the BBC survive? Will the new Director General, Tim Davie, be able to save the Corporation? This book attempts to answer these and other questions about the BBC at 100 from a wide range of perspectives. It doesn't duck the serious scandals that have engulfed the BBC, not least the Dianagate affair and the treatment of Cliff Richard, but it also looks at the strengths and other weaknesses of the BBC today. The contributions are from distinguished academics, journalists and political commentators and the editor is John Mair. They are: Leighton Andrews, Robin Aitkin, Patrick Barwise, Dorothy Byrne, Bernard Clark, Steve Clarke, Paul Connew, Fiona Chesterton, Mark Damazer, David Elstein, Ivor Gaber, Liz Gerard, David Lancaster, Liam McCarthy, Julian Petley, Marcus Ryder, Sir Anthony Seldon, Caroline Thomson, Brian Winston and Peter York.