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Campaigners slam government plans to privatise Channel 4

PUBLIC ownership campaigners criticised the government’s plans to privatise Channel 4 today, warning that it could make the growing political bias in broadcast media even worse.

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed on Thursday that the channel could be sold by the end of the current parliament to “provide a sustainable future for the broadcaster.”

Mr Dowden said that privatisation of Channel 4 was “on the table” as part of a government review of public service broadcasting.

We Own It director Cat Hobbs said: “With the impending launch of GB News our broadcast media is set to become even more biased.

“So it’s absolutely vital that our public service broadcasters like Channel 4 remain well supported in order to inform the public, entertain us and hold the government and the powerful to account.”

Ms Hobbs said that the broadcaster has consistently played a central role in shaping Britain’s cultural life.

“The government should be cherishing, protecting and defending this, not threatening to sell it off,” she insisted.

“Channel 4 should remain in public hands, where it belongs.”

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