An official was photographed on Thursday outside No. 10 Downing St, the residence of Prime Minister David Cameron, carrying a document which said the government was considering its options for Channel 4, which is publicly owned but funded by advertising.
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Rumours of government plans to privatise Channel 4 have gained traction after a civil servant was photographed entering Downing Street holding a document which detailed options for a sell-off.
The government is considering privatising Channel 4 a month after rejecting any such suggestion, it has been revealed.
It says there has been a “recent meeting” between Cabinet Office minister Matthew Hancock and two unnamed secretaries of state.
“The ownership of Channel 4 is not now under debate”.
Despite the emergence of the photo, a Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) spokeswoman said: “The Government has made no decisions regarding reform of Channel 4”.
“Channel Four has an important remit and we are looking at a range of options as to how to continue to deliver this, including options put forward by Channel Four”.
The revelation will come as an embarrassment to culture secretary John Whitingdale – whose department has already launched a review of the role of the BBC – a sale of Channel 4 could be perceived as a further attack on public service broadcasting. Chairman Lord Burns is now exploring future options for the broadcaster, but privatisation is not thought to be one of them.
Channel 4’s remit to cater for minority audiences and take risks is considered by some within the broadcaster as the greatest challenge to privatisation.
Back later posted the picture on Twitter.
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The Financial Times has previously reported that the government believes the not-for-profit broadcaster could be worth £1 billion.
