Over 300,000 Petitions Signed To Stop The Privatisation Of Channel 4

A petition set up to try and prevent the UK government from privatising Channel 4 has garnered over 300,000 signatures.

The government previously announced its plans to privatise Channel 4, which broadcasts popular programmes such asCountdownandGogglebox, to improve the money-making opportunities of the broadcaster. Currently,Channel 4 is a government-owned broadcasting company, which includes channels such asE4andFilm4.

Unlike the BBC, which earns its money via public funding, Channel 4 garners money via advertising - it does not make its own shows and any profits made are fed back into programme-making.

The government said:"There are constraints that come with public ownership, and a new owner could bring access and benefits, including access to capital, to strategic partnerships and to the international markets. Private investment would mean more content and more jobs."

But it appears many members of the public disagree with the money-making opportunities of privatising Channel 4 with 297,7444 people so far signing a petition to try and stop it. The petition, set up byE.L McNally, states that"Channel 4 is responsible for some of the very best programming on UK TV. Channel 4 News is one of the most trusted news programmes at a time when disinformation is rife.

"There are very few places where we can trust in the integrity of those producing news and content. There are very few places we can trust in the honest intention to serve diverse communities. The mono culture that is sure to be the result of such a move would be seriously undermining of the health and creativity of UK TV programming."

It goes on to add that privatising Channel 4 would lead to a lack of programming aimed at the wide variety of communities in the UK. It adds:"The government has no right to move ahead with a plan that is not in the interest of the viewing public."

McNally wrote:"Everyone's so tired of feeling powerless, of feeling hopeless, of feeling like there's nothing we can do to stop what the government does or fails to do. There's been too much for too long."