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It was much more than just a celebration. The theme chosen to mark 75 years of international broadcasting by the BBC was Free to Speak, an in-depth look at issues of censorship, political and economic pressure, and how technology is changing the way information is disseminated and consumed. In addition to a series of special programmes, the season gave people all over the world a chance to take part in debates and share stories, while a major survey came up with some surprising results gauging attitudes to press freedom around the world.
The first ever Reith Global Debate brought together three former Reith lecturers – Baroness Onora O'Neill, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka (pictured) and Professor Jeffrey Sachs – to debate questions of media freedom.
"The stress was on today and the future rather than just having a sepia-toned romp through our triumphant moments," says Project Editor Sara Beck. "The idea was to take a broader, reflective look at the state of the media and the way people are accessing information and look ahead to the challenges not just for BBC World Service and the rest of the BBC but for the media across the board."
In Press for Freedom, media commentator and former newspaper editor Roy Greenslade explored the dangers facing journalists, their freedom to report and how it can be protected.The way news is made came under scrutiny as Alan Little compared a day's news coverage by three international television news channels. In How Free the BBC?, media specialist Ray Snoddy looked at the relationship between BBC World Service and the British Government, which funds it.
In London, the first-ever Reith Global Debate brought together former Reith Lecturers to consider the Free to Speak theme. A series of BBC World Service debates held in New York, Delhi and Cairo gave regional perspectives on freedom of expression as audiences put their questions to expert panels. People everywhere were encouraged to participate in the season and share their experiences.
Robin Lustig chaired a debate in New York on the question: "Is it ever right to limit free speech?"
Music and drama were also celebrated: Sir Arnold Wesker's play, The Rocking Horse, was written specially for the 75th anniversary and starred Clive Swift and Prunella Scales. Thousands of musicians from 88 countries entered The Next Big Thing, a search for the best unsigned artists in the world. "We didn't want the whole season to be serious and issues-based," says Sara Beck. "Everyone had freedom of expression to sing about anything in any language." The winning group,Yunasi from Kenya, played at the O2 Arena in the BBC World Service 75th anniversary concert alongside Squeeze, Daby Toure, Toumast, Katie Melua and Carbon Silicon.
World-changing events selected from three-quarters of a century of news were broadcast in 75 daily, one-minute instalments. BBC Director of News Helen Boaden introduced the historic media moments, which included General Charles de Gaulle calling the French resistance to arms via the BBC in 1940; American reporter Herb Morrison witnessing the Hindenburg airship bursting into flames in 1937; and items from Radio Mille Collines, the station that played a key role in the Rwandan genocide in 1994.
Freedom poll
"The stress was on today and the future rather than just having a sepia-toned romp through our triumphant moments."
A special BBC World Service survey for the Free to Speak season showed that world opinion was divided on the importance of press freedom.The poll of more than 11,300 people in 14 countries showed that a majority thought it was important to ensure a free society. But 40% believed that social harmony and peace are more highly valued even if it means controlling what is reported. Only 19% said there was little or no media freedom in their country. Concern over the ownership of private media was greatest in Brazil, Mexico, USA and Britain. Doug Miller, the President of the international polling firm GlobeScan Incorporated, commented, "While people generally support a free media, the Western view of the necessity of a free press to ensure a fair society is not universally shared across all regions of the world."
Empire calling
Katie Melua celebrated the BBC World Service's 75th birthday as the headline act of the anniversary concert.
When the BBC Empire Service – forerunner of today's BBC World Service – went on the air via shortwave in December 1932, BBC Director-General Lord Reith predicted that lack of funds would mean programmes would be neither "very good" nor "very interesting" in the early days. "How astonished he would be that we now attract over 180 million listeners a week via 33 language services," said the current Director BBC World Service, Nigel Chapman, marking the 75th anniversary. "The challenge now is to continue to provide impartial, engaging news and information in a new technological age, and to continue to buck the pessimism of our founders; it has proved quite possible to make lively programmes, full of interest, that are easy to listen to and enrich the lives of millions every day."
