Does Britain need the Beeb? Britain's national television broadcaster is in the headlines again — for another scandal. And some think the country no longer needs the BBC anyway.
Hard questions for the BBC as crisis unfolds
Does Britain need the Beeb? Britain's national television broadcaster is in the headlines again - for another scandal. And some think the country no longer needs the BBC anyway.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening?</h2>
The BBC tells people all across the world about the news. But today, it also is the news.
There is one story that has made the headlines of Britain's top newspapers. An unnamed BBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is the UK's national broadcaster. presenter is said to have paid a teenager thousands of pounds to send him sexual photos. The presenter has now been suspendedWhen a privilege or role is temporarily taken away from someone..
Some people say the BBC did not do enough to look into the claim when the teenager's mother complained to them. But for now, we do not know exactly what the BBC knew and when.
The BBC gets some of its money from the UK governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country.. In recent years, it has faced big criticisms. Some accuse it of being on the side of one political party. Others say it is on the side of a different party.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>
Others say the BBC is simply out of date. Today, lots of people use services such as Netflix or Amazon to watch television. Last year BBC News lost 9% of its viewers. Some think Britain does not need the BBC anymore.
One group, the Media Reform Campaign, says the BBC needs to change how it runs. It thinks that people across Britain should be allowed to choose which programmes are made.
But others think the BBC is already stronger than ever. In 2022, BBC shows had half a billion viewers in 200 different countries.
One reason for its success, they argue, is that it has always done a good job of making programmes that are popular with lots of different people.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>Does Britain need the Beeb?</strong></h5>
Yes! The BBC has faced many problems over the years. It will pass. Lots of people put their trust in the BBC. They do not want it to change or shut down.
No! ScandalsShocking or morally wrong events that cause public anger. like this are not good news for the BBC. People may not trust the BBC anymore. And other ways of watching television are becoming more popular.
BBC - The British Broadcasting Corporation is the UK's national broadcaster.
Suspended - When a privilege or role is temporarily taken away from someone.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Scandals - Shocking or morally wrong events that cause public anger.
Hard questions for the BBC as crisis unfolds

Glossary
BBC - The British Broadcasting Corporation is the UK's national broadcaster.
Suspended - When a privilege or role is temporarily taken away from someone.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Scandals - Shocking or morally wrong events that cause public anger.