Do you? Did you? Who you?

This article is stylised in the format of three questions and aims to cover recent developments in the World Service.

Do you know what the World Service is?

Great, what an insightful question you just posed! However, if you are currently sneering because you already know then now is probably a good moment to move on to the section entitled ‘did you?’ Almost like walking into a seminar, deciding it wasn’t for you today, and relying on the readings to see you through.

So for us mere mortals the World Service is…

“The world's largest international broadcaster, broadcasting news, speech and discussions in 28 languages to many parts of the world on analogue and digital shortwave platforms, internet streaming, podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays. The World Service was reported to have reached 188 million people a week on average in June 2009. It does not carry advertising, and the English language service broadcasts 24 hours a day.”

Right now, they are airing an insightful documentary on crypto wars which happens to be an interesting area of development for the future of security studies… just in case you were wondering.

However, the most important provision it provides is independent news to many states that have strict laws on media. For instance, if you happened to be in Zimbabwe right now, where all broadcasters transmitting from Zimbabwean soil, and many of the main newspapers, toe the government line, you would be able to get the world service.

It’s the BBC to the rest of the world that provides a forum for discussion and information.

The BBC of the world

Did you know that the World Service is paid for by your TV license?

Before yesterday the World Service was funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). After all it was a tool to increase the recognition of the British across the world.

However, now the World Service is funded by the BBC.

Who you?

So what do you think? Is it okay that the BBC has taken on the role of the Foreign Office considering the recent cuts to BBC Three? Simply, the government has pushed the cost on to us to cut budgets in the FCO.

Personally, I think it is okay. Not that the government has pushed the cost on to the BBC but that international media is a long-term business and should benefit from the consistency the organisation has promised to provide. Whilst under the FCO the World Service lost around 14 million people as it dropped 5 languages due to budget cuts – not cool guys. It is the World Service’s ability to provide valuable news to those who may not have the right to understand why their states act the way they do that substantiates its existence. If we are committed to democracy then it should remain.

When I come to pay my TV licence I would have no issue in £10 of it going to help support this valuable service. I appreciate that a service that benefits others may not be preferential in such economic conditions but surely its worth looking beyond our current situation.

Help keep the megaphone for the voices of the world going and commit to the continued existence of the World Service.

Thoughts?