Government invests in BBC World service as cuts reduce other departments
BBC services around the world will be bolstered by an additional £85m contribution to the broadcaster’s budget following a cash injection from the government.
The UK government has committed the fee to "build the global reach of the World Service" and globally “increase access to news and information,” especially in the Middle East, Africa, Russia and North Korea. As a result, £34m will be delivered in 2016/17, rising to £85m in 2017/18.
Tony Hall, director-general of the BBC, said: "I warmly welcome today's announcement. It's fantastic news. This new funding is the single biggest increase in the World Service budget ever committed by any government.
"The millions announced today will help the BBC deliver on our commitment to uphold global democracy through accurate, impartial and independent news reporting.”
He concluded: “The World Service is one of the UK's most important cultural exports and one of our best sources of global influence. We can now further build on that. The funding will also help speed us on to our target of reaching half a billion people globally."
BBC World Service reaches 308m people throughout the world, the organisation is tasked with building up an audience of 500m by 2022.
Just last week, the future of the Red Button was brought into doubt as the organisation admitted it wants to phase out the service.