Foreign Office ‘massive U-turn’ gaffe on BBC World Service

Foreign Secretary William Hague announced the money would be directed towards the BBC Arabic Service, in light of the changing situation in the Middle East following the Arab Spring.

But the announcement was initially fudged, with the Foreign Office website headlining the news: “Massive U-turn on BBC World Service funding.”

The headline was then changed to “BBC World Service Funding Review” and a spokeswoman said the initial title did not reflect the views of the Government.

She said: “A web article with an incorrect and inappropriate title was up on the FCO website for 10 minutes this morning. The title absolutely did not represent the views of the FCO. This error has now been corrected and disciplinary procedures have been launched.”

BBC World Service funding

Mr Hague said cuts to the World Service, part of wider Government spending cuts, had been reconsidered because “the world has changed” since they were announced.

In a written statement to MPs, he wrote: “It is right that we should look at ways in which we can assist the BBC Arabic Service to continue their valuable work in the region.

“So I have agreed that we will provide additional funding of £2.2m per annum to enable the World Service to maintain the current level of investment in the BBC Arabic Service.”

The so-called “massive U-turn” comes after widespread criticism over plans to cut the BBC World Service’s £270m budget by 16 per cent as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Earlier this week, Burmese activist Aung San Suu Kyi said that World Service broadcasts had helped make her “world much more complete” while she was under house arrest.

Mr Hague said: “We recognise that the world has changed since the settlement was announced in October last year – indeed since the World Service announced the subsequent changes to services, including some closures, on January 26.

“In addition, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is discussing providing funding from the Arab Partnership Initiative for specific projects proposed by the BBC Arabic Service or World Service Trust.

“Discussions are continuing about a number of projects which are designed to support the development of the media and wider civic society in the Middle East and North Africa region which, taken together, may mean an additional investment of up to £1.65m over the next two years.”

He also said there were discussions over whether money from the Department for International Development could be used to fund the World Service. The BBC welcomed the announcement, saying it would help them sustain the Hindi short wave service, the Somali service and services for the Arab world.