The latest speculation over the BBC shows it is going to be a big part of the ‘culture wars’

It is clear the arguments over the broadcaster’s status and how it is viewed – both by the public and those in power – will not be going away anytime soon, writes Chris Stevenson

The BBC has faced mounting criticism from some conservatives

The suggestion that Paul Dacre, the former Daily Mail editor and Charles Moore, a former Daily Telegraph editor, are favoured for the roles of chair of broadcasting regulator Ofcom and BBC chair respectively has certainly sparked debate.

As you will see from our letters page, readers have been quick to have their say – and the two possible choices for what are powerful positions in the media landscape would be controversial to say the least, as Rob Merrick points out in his story today.

When asked if talks had taken place with the two men, Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, told the BBC's Andrew Marr: “I have conversations with people all the time.”

Dowden went on to add: "I want to be sure we have the best person possible to lead Ofcom as chair and the best person possible to lead the BBC as chair.”

Both Dacre and Moore would bring much experience – that is not in doubt – but given the fact that the role of the BBC has increasingly been in the limelight and a number of conservatives have called for a change in its remit, or the scrapping of the licence fee, the latest speculation comes at a fraught time.

It also comes in the wake of the announcement that long-time BBC journalist and presenter Andrew Neil would be leaving the corporation and moving to a role at a new channel. The 71-year-old is to become chairman of TV channel GB News, due to launch early next year.

The BBC – and to a much lesser degree Ofcom – have become a lightning rod for the "culture wars" that have been played out on social media and via a number of news outlets for some time. 

A number of readers have written in recent months to decry the apparent views of Downing Street – and others within the Conservative Party – about the BBC.

There is little doubt that the arguments over the BBC's status and how it is viewed – both by the public and those in power – will not be going away anytime soon.

Yours,

Chris Stevenson

Editor, Voices