75% of people say they can no longer trust the BBC

The JOE audience has spoken

The BBC is in a difficult position currently, standing on the edge of a watershed moment after the controversy of an “error of judgement” in the editing of a Donald Trump speech during the Capitol riots on 6 January 2021.

This led to the resignation of multiple high-profile individuals at the organisation including Director General Tim Davie.

Meanwhile, the BBC is in critical government talks about its future, specifically the funding model, as its Royal Charter is up for renewal in 2027.

This has led to the corporation trying to convince the government that the licence fee is still worth it.

BBC executives see the licence fee as the only way to provide a “universal” service and content for everyone.

However, the will of the public seems to disagree with this sentiment.

In a poll across JOE's sites, we asked our audience whether they believe they can still trust the BBC.

Over 800 people responded, with a staggering 75% saying 'no'.

This means only one quarter of those asked believe they can still trust the BBC.

This data comes just days after it was revealed by the Public Accounts Committee that the BBC is missing out on £1.1 billion a year in revenue because of people cancelling or evading payment of their TV licence, according to a cross-party group of MPs.

Conservative chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, said: “Our report makes clear that the ground is shifting beneath the BBC’s feet – the traditional enforcement method of household visits is seeing fewer and fewer returns at a time of heightened competition for almost every aspect of the BBC’s activities.

“Without a modernised approach focused more on online viewing, the broadcaster will see faith in the licence fee system ebb away.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “The licence fee needs reform. We are actively exploring all options that can make our funding model fairer, more modern and more sustainable, but we’ve been clear that any reform must safeguard the BBC as a universal public broadcaster.

“TV Licensing works hard to collect the licence fee and enforce the law efficiently, fairly and proportionately and we are audited on this each year. The National Audit Office reports that we continue to successfully deliver on these measures.”