Vienna, February 28, 2023
by Edward Steen
The innovative UK tv station Channel 4 News has been saved from being broken up and sold off by the British state after a determined campaign to save it, including by the AEJ.
State-owned, but never subsidised, Channel 4 was originally inspired by former PM Margaret Thatcher with a brief to be “disruptive”.
But once (ex-journalist) Boris Johnson came to power, every effort has been made to stop that, along with other critical or independent voices, leading to such phenomena as Byline Times. Channel 4 has remained determinedly independent, and solvent, throughout its existence.
But its its often critical reportage on the Conservative government, and the voice of star presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy, have resulted in constant threats get rid of it. News of these plans being scrapped has been widely welcomed, not least by AEJ members who campaigned for its survival.
- Writers Guild, UK celebrates winning the campaign to save Channel 4
- Reaction of Channel 4 to UK govt U-turn
- Guardian, July 25, 202 Journalist’s personal debt to station – and why Channel 4 matters.
