Everything is so illusory right now, and one should only ever use phrases such as “silver linings” advisedly, but it’s worth pointing out the extent to which in periods of crisis we remember to love our institutions. Democracy itself is never more cherished than after a war. But how can I put this less baldly? And do forgive the indelicacy: Covid-19 might save the BBC.
It seems the distant past now, but just a few weeks ago there was very real talk of the end of the BBC – and a horribly seething governmental glee at the prospect. Repeatedly refusing to go on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the PM made sinister noises. How the corporation – this unwieldy oil tanker, this outmoded quintessence of “mainstream media” (a phrase that really means “dishonest media”) – would be taken down a peg or two!
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