What is the BBC for internationally? What is our mission? The big vision
On 25 October 2005, BBC World Service announced changes that add up to one of the biggest, most far-reaching transformations since the BBC began international broadcasting more than 70 years ago.
The raft of changes has at its heart, the launch of a BBC television news service in Arabic.
 We are also planning to make increased investments in new media covering interactivity and video news reporting, particularly in markets including South America, Russia, South Asia and the Middle East.
Increased funds will also go into more FM radio distribution, extra marketing and modernising international bureaux.
To help pay for these ambitious plans, BBC broadcasts in Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Kazakh, Polish, Slovak, Slovene and Thai languages will cease by March 2006.
These decisions were not taken lightly but only after a great deal of care and consideration. We believe these changes ensure we are spending every penny of our limited budget, where there is greatest audience need, and where there will be the greatest impact.
Whilst the mix of services has to evolve as the world changes, the overall core values of BBC World Service will remain the same: to provide quality news and information that people trust, which stands out for its independence, authority and objectivity; and to create an open forum for global debate - a “global conversation”.
Our new services on television and in new media will be judged by those values just as their distinguished predecessors have been. Our vision - “to be the world’s best known, most creative and most respected voice in international news, thereby bringing benefit to the UK, the BBC and to audiences around the world.” With creativity is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission - “to provide the most trusted, relevant and high quality international news in the world, and an indispensable service of independent analysis, with an international perspective, which promotes greater understanding of complex issues.” Connecting with our audiences everywhere - in “a ‘global conversation’ – which transcends international boundaries and cultural divides, and gives audiences opportunities to create, publish and share their own views and stories.” Building a deeper relationship with our audiences - “to enable people to make sense of their increasingly complex world, and thus empowered, lead more fulfilling lives.”
This is a great ‘public good’ and an ambition I hope everyone in BBC World Service can identify with, and be proud of.
We believe the proposed changes will catch the spirit of these changing times, and ensure BBC World Service builds on its position as the world’s leading international broadcaster.
Nigel Chapman
Director, BBC World Service
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