Some called it a "mortal blow". Others said it was an overdue reckoning for the "Fox News of the Left". Britain was divided yesterday over government plans to axe the licence fee. It has been used to fund the BBC since 1946.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries announced that the fee would be frozen. That means it will not go above £159 for two years. As well as this, she said there could soon be plans to get rid of it altogether. 

The changes could alter the BBC as we know it. It was first founded as a radio station in the 1920s. Back then, it was normal for governments to be in control of broadcasters.  

Today, the BBC is unusual. Most state-owned media companies are linked to autocratic governments. Leaders use media to spread fake news about their critics and make themselves more powerful. 

The BBC is owned by the state, but there is one big difference: it is not controlled by it. In fact, it is run by a board of governors who are separate from the government. 

But some of them are linked. Ministers are allowed to pick some of the governors. Many people say this gives them a chance to get their friends running the BBC. 

Plus, the government has the power to cut funding for the BBC. It could even get rid of it completely. This means that there is always pressure to make sure the government is happy. 

Some people think that this power balance is the reason for lots of decisions made at the BBC. In 2020, Tim Davie was made director-general. He had previously said he thought BBC comedy should spend less time attacking the Conservatives. 

But some say these small details are nothing. The alternative is an American-style free-for-all. In the USA, they argue, broadcasters are fighting to keep their audiences and do this by being as dramatic and divisive as possible. As a result, news channels have become polarised.

In contrast, GB News, which has been seen as the UK's version of Fox News, has struggled to become popular. Supporters of the BBC claim this is because people trust the state broadcaster. 

That trust goes well beyond the UK. The BBC is one of the planet's most trusted brands. People around the globe listen to the World Service and tell BBC journalists their stories.

Yes: Government funding gives the BBC a global reach and recognition. And despite pressure, the BBC has largely maintained its independence.

No: States are hostile to scrutiny. Journalism must always be independent of the government.

Or... Many countries have broadcasters that are state-owned but funded by advertising. Channel 4 already works like this. The BBC could follow the same model.