The BBC's Window on the World
Thursday, March 16, 2006; Page A22
David Pitts ["Radio News With a British Accent," Close to Home, March 12] said that it was disturbing that the BBC has taken a prominent role in U.S. public radio and implied that the British Foreign Office exerts editorial control over the BBC World Service. That is false.
The BBC World Service is funded by a grant from Britain's Parliament, administered by the Foreign Office. But the Foreign Office has no say in the BBC's editorial agenda.
On editorial matters, the World Service is responsible only to the director general of the BBC and the BBC Board of Governors. These principles are laid out in the broadcasting agreement with the United Kingdom.
PHILIP HARDING
Director
English Networks & News
BBC World Service
London
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