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215,764 of 500,000 signatures

To Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan

Petition text

Scrap plans to sell off Channel 4 - which would damage its ability to make innovative programmes, support independent production companies, and invest in different regions of the UK.

Why is this important?

Channel 4 is under threat. The government wants to sell off the broadcaster - which is currently publicly owned - to a private buyer. The result could be cuts to how much it spends in different UK regions, as a new owner looks to turn a profit, and could undermine its remit of nurturing the UK creative sector.

Channel 4’s unique model - commercially-funded but with a public benefit remit - has allowed it to develop incredible programmes like it’s recent drama It’s a Sin and current affairs show Unreported World. It also means it works closely with small TV production companies, helping to develop the UK’s entire creative sector into a global force.

We’re not alone in our concern - David Attenborough recently accused the government of pursuing “short-sighted political and financial attacks” on our broadcasters. So let’s stop the government’s plans in their tracks!