We the undersigned believe that the BBC is a national institution on a par with the NHS, that it is the standard bearer for quality broadcasting in the U.K. and is respected worldwide.

We believe that the reason for this is a licence fee system, and object to any funding cuts or government interference.

We believe that plans to share the licence fee with other broadcasters, or to force the BBC to take advertising would eventually destroy what makes the BBC so special and allow our broadcasting to become dominated by the likes of Mr. Murdoch.