Committee report assesses work of the BBC World Service
5 February 2010 (updated on 22 April 2010)
In its new report, published today, the Foreign Affairs Committee provides an assessment of the work of the BBC World Service during 2008-09, focusing particularly on its activities, performance and administration
- Report: The Work of the BBC World Service 2008-2009
- Foreign Affairs Committee
- Topical Issues: Culture, Media and Sport
On the World Service’s performance, Committee Chairman Mr Mike Gapes MP said:
"The year 2008-09 was a good year for the BBC World Service in terms of its performance. We particularly welcome the unprecedented growth in online audiences, which exceeded all targets."
On BBC Persian television, Mr Gapes said:
"We congratulate the BBC World Service on its success in the launch and delivery of BBC Persian television. This provides an invaluable service to the people of Iran and other Farsi speakers in the region by providing an objective news service during a period of great tension.
"We support the ongoing efforts of the World Service to remove the technical blockages imposed by the Iranian government.
“We welcome the BBC World Service’s temporary extension of the Persian service to 24 hours of broadcasting and regret that this could not be continued due to financial restraints. We see great value in a 24 hour service and recommend that the BBC World Service make this a top priority for 2009-10."