Stars and social media users #BacktheBBC amid funding cuts
Twenty nine high-profile individuals from the arts and entertainment industry have urged prime minister David Cameron to U-turn on plans to slash BBC funding.
In the aftermath of chancellor George Osborne announcing that over 75s will be freed from the levy from 2017/18, decreasing the corporation's funding by 10 per cent, stars such as JK Rowling, Stephen Fry, Richard Curtis, Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Dench were signatories calling to save the BBC.
The letter read: “A diminished BBC would simply mean a diminished Britain,” adding “The BBC is a very precious institution, like all organisations, it has its faults but it is overwhelmingly a creative force for good.
"The BBC is trusted and loved at home by British audiences and is the envy of the world abroad."
It was delivered to Downing Street on Tuesday morning. As a result of the pledge, social media users shared their reasons to (or not to) #BacktheBBC on Twitter.
Just look at the USA to see where we would be without a strong public broadcaster. NPR/PBS do their best but on the margins #BackTheBBC
— Steve McCaskill (@MickeyCaskill) July 15, 2015
As a member of BBC staff it is very heartening to see #BacktheBBC top UK trend on twitter.
— Aziz Rashid (@AzizRashid) July 15, 2015
#BackTheBBC because it creates jobs across creative industries, delivers great radio, online and tv, and is respected across the world.
— Steve McCaskill (@MickeyCaskill) July 15, 2015
I #backthebbc as I don't know how I'd manage without an FM local radio station every 20miles
— Marcher Lord (@MarcherLord1) July 15, 2015
#BackTheBBC by letting the whole world enjoy iPlayer, not just the Brits. They can pay for it too.
— Ⓑlack Ⓑeauty Ⓒlub (@BBCPropaganda) July 15, 2015
Always supported BBC and the TV licence fee, but quality & impartiality of news content and documentary has fallen of a cliff #BackTheBBC
— JJ Wyatt (@jjdubit) July 15, 2015
#BacktheBBC LEAVE THE BBC ALONE! I love them and have watched the variety of programs since I was a child!
— Peculiar Child (@RiaGregory) July 15, 2015
I love the BBC but for some the Tv license maybe too expensive #BackTheBBC but #CutTVLicencing
— Keshia Adele (@misskeshiaadele) July 15, 2015
Quite simply: #BackTheBBC. Along with the NHS it's one of the few socialist, good hearted facets this country has: http://t.co/Gn7Z391E0B
— Mr Paul Dunphy (@mrpauldunphy) July 15, 2015
To combat the cuts, the BBC called on the elderly to continue paying the fee if they can.