The Conservative government has said it will privatise Channel 4 in the upcoming Media Bill. This will end forty years of public ownership since the broadcaster was created in the 1980s.
Luke has criticised the move, calling Channel 4 a British success story. He added that it does not cost the tax-payer a single penny as it generates its own revenue and said the company is well known for its investment in British talent and production.
It is likely that Channel 4 will be bought by a foreign media giant, risking its reputation as one of Britain’s most innovative and independent broadcasters.
Luke said:
“I strongly oppose the privatisation of Channel 4. This Tory plan is simply vandalism of our creative sector. I know people in Plymouth will also be opposed to this latest Tory move to wreak havoc on our world-leading creative sector.”
Lucy Powell MP, Shadow Culture Secretary, said:
“Selling off Channel 4, which doesn’t cost the tax-payer a penny anyway, to what is likely to be a foreign company, is cultural vandalism. It will hit the British creative economy.
The government should have a laser-like focus on the cost-of-living crisis, and help people with their bills, not be fiddling around like this for ideological reasons.”