OfcomWatch received the following message (slightly edited by me) from what I would call an astute observer of current UK media policy. Our person-in-the-know says:

I was talking to a few people and naturally there is a great deal of discussion / debate about the Burns - Birt - Richards triangle and the alleged malevolent influence (from a BBC perspective) on Charter Review. Ofcom’s involvement in this, the Richards point of the triangle, is not as sinister as some in the press are making out. It is true that everyone from Tessa to the BBC had pencilled in the Green Paper for Monday. It is also true that Birt scribbled red ink on the draft. However, going public with his critique is a risky move don’t you think?

The Communications Bill section on foreign ownership was kept under wraps by number 10 until the very, very last moment. Now why would Birt need to go public now? Sign of weakness? Or kite flying on whether the PSBC [Public Service Broadcasting Commission, see our earlier post on this ~ Russ] would be seen to be an attack on the Beeb? My guess is the latter.

PS - It is not Charter Renewal you BBC stooges it is Charter Review.

There you have it, folks: A little inside perspective on what is shaping up to be quite a dramatic policy confrontation. More comments on this issue are welcome: blog@ofcomwatch.co.uk