Ren Frew – interesting reading. But questions of “trust” are not what I am debating here. And I probably fall into the approximate 33% who would prefer the BBC was funded by public subscription by those who wished to watch it.

In terms of sheer output of course it is good value for money. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the quality is good. But more in tune with my arguments here is the 50%-60% who think quality has been reduced.

And as in many polls the answers to two questions contradict each other. Broadcasters should be impartial – 80% yes. Broadcasters should hold political opinions – 60%-70% yes.

Naturally your bosses will put the best gloss on any poll but trying to be objective I would say the jury is still out and there is a large debate to be had when the key questions have to be set out in more detail.

I should say that, for me, the BBC could do no wrong up to about 15 years ago. It clearly still is “an institution” for many, particularly the older populace and they will often forgive its transgressions. But the BBC is torn between that image it would still like to project and the modern broadcaster it really wants to be.

I am not sure that it can be both.