Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Channel 4 could be sold off

Anthony Bevins
Sunday 14 June 1998 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

CHANNEL 4 television could be sold off by the Government after the next election, it emerged yesterday.

Following the proposed sale of pounds 12bn worth of state assets, disclosed by Gordon Brown last week, Alistair Darling, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, refused to rule out a Channel 4 sale yesterday. He told BBC television's On the Record that while the Government would give the Post Office greater commercial freedom within the public sector, there were no plans for a sale of Channel 4.

The Conservatives said during the 1992 election that they had "no plans" to extend the scope of value-added tax - before slapping the tax on domestic fuel and power bills. The "no plans" phrase means that while nothing is going to happen in the next few months, it cannot be ruled out for the future.

According to Mr Darling's register, the value of the Channel Four Corporation's assets alone were worth more than pounds 80m at the start of last year.

Channel 4 at present holds an Independent Television Commission licence to broadcast for the decade up to 2002.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in