Secretary of State for Culture John Whittingdale MP to give evidence to Lords inquiry into Channel 4

The Committee will also hear from Mr David Abraham, Chief Executive Officer, Channel 4, and Dan Brooke, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, at Channel 4.

The witnesses will be asked for their views on the overall sustainability of Channel 4, whether privatisation is appropriate, potential buyers, the changing remit of the channel, and diversity on the channel.

In an evidence session starting at approximately 4.30pm, the Committee will ask the Minister John Whittingdale MP questions which could include:

• Are you concerned about the channel's long-term sustainability?
• What are your views on privatisation? How about mutualisation or part-privatisation?
• How could the channel's remit be affected by privatisation?
• Could its news obligations be compromised?
• How would Channel 4 keep to its diversity promises if privatised?

In a previous evidence session, at 3.30pm, the Committee will take evidence from Mr David Abraham, Chief Executive Officer of Channel 4 and Mr Dan Brooke, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Channel 4, a range of questions, which could include:

• Where do you stand on the benefits/drawbacks of privatisation?
• Would it inherently damage the ‘culture' of the channel?
• How could the protection of the channel's news work in practice?
• How could a privatised channel be regulated by Ofcom?

The evidence sessions start at 3.30pm on Tuesday 26 April, in Committee Room 2.