BRITISH Culture Secretary John Whittingdale has appointed an expert panel to oversee a root and branch review of the BBC as part of the process for renewing the broadcaster's royal charter.
THE advisory group includes former Channel 5 boss Dawn Airey, who has previously called for the licence fee to be cut and for the broadcaster to consider charging for its website, and former Ofcom chairwoman Colette Bowe.
The Sunday Times reported that a government green paper due to be published this week will ask fundamental questions about the BBC's role, including whether it should stop chasing viewers and provide more public service programs.
Other members of the panel include: Shazam executive chairman Andrew Fisher, Arts Council England boss Darren Henley, Johnston Press chief executive Ashley Highfield, former Shine Group chief executive Alex Mahon, digital entrepreneur Lopa Patel and journalism professor Stewart Purvis - a former editor-in-chief of ITN.
The green paper is reported to open the door to a replacement for the STG145.50 ($A300.46) licence fee, with various funding models including a household tax or subscription system being considered.
It will also suggest that the BBC website should be scaled back, question whether the corporation's news fulfils its obligation to be impartial, examine whether more of the broadcaster's output should be independently produced and consider the future of BBC Worldwide, the Sunday Times reported.
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