Claire Enders presents the prestigious Campbell Swinton lecture and analyses the purpose and foundation of Public Service Broadcasting in the UK.
Campbell Swinton was one of Scotland’s pioneers of television technology whose legacy RTS continues to celebrate with a series of high level lectures. The last two speakers were then SNP leader Alex Salmond and BBC Scotland Director Ken MacQuarrie.
Rising above the political fray in Westminster and Holyrood, Claire Enders will explain the purpose and foundations of the PSB system of producing and commissioning news and current affairs, quality entertainment and documentaries, sustained by the BBC, C4, ITV, STV and C5.
This results in a high level of investment in UK originated programming for UK-wide audiences and external ones, with multiplier effects on employment and self-employment, on enterprise and micro-enterprise creation. The production sector is highly professionalised, sustaining significant exports, for which BBC Worldwide is the vital channel to global markets for UK hit content and formats. UK soft power is considerably enhanced by the export of British content. This puts into perspective the chilling effect of the recent licence fee settlement the BBC will endure, and cautions against further fragmentation of the BBC's programming investment through political interference. Privatisation of C4 is another item on the agenda for PSB in the coming decade.
This event is likely to be popular so please book early via Eventbrite.
Arrive at 6pm for audience to be seated by 6.30pm.