UK - BBC blackmails the government

The Guardian reports.

Well, you get the picture, and if you don't then you might be surprised about what goes on in media policy circles these days. Last week Mark Thompson gave dire warning that a licence fee settlement of less than 1.8% above inflation for the BBC would mean no relocation of BBC children's, sport and new media to Salford and, potentially, a drawn-out, incomplete digital switchover. It was a magnificent piece of political blackmail.

The BBC should be cut loose to fend for itself in the free market - that would certainly finish it off.