Bloomberg Talks Howard Stringer Talks Trump's Threats to BBC
Nov 17, 2025
Sir Howard Stringer, former chairman and CEO of Sony and BBC board director, delves into the complex relationship between President Trump and the BBC. He passionately defends the BBC's public funding, emphasizing its role in delivering impartial news. Stringer discusses strategies for restoring trust following controversies and evaluates the BBC's unique challenges in today's fragmented media landscape. He also reflects on the changing nature of TV journalism, the impact of streaming, and the intricacies of consumer choice in media.
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BBC's Founding Purpose Still Matters
- The BBC was designed to deliver truth and fairness and historically set standards for global broadcasting.
- Sir Howard Stringer argues abandoning public funding would sacrifice institutional trust and be a mistake.
Act Quickly On Leadership And Board Fixes
- Leadership change and board restructuring are the first steps to rebuild trust after a crisis.
- Sir Howard Stringer says lessons must be learned quickly to restore credibility in news divisions.
Newsrooms Are Perpetual Political Targets
- News divisions inherently threaten politicians because they call out mistakes, making them targets for attacks.
- Stringer links current attacks on the BBC to a long pattern of political pressure on newsrooms.