The future of Channel 4

That this House is concerned about the Government's decision to press ahead with the privatisation of Channel 4, a publicly owned but commercially funded company; notes that Channel 4 is not run for profit and is free from the need to create return for shareholders; acknowledges that Channel 4 emerged from the pandemic with a significant financial surplus, was able to repay its furlough payments and avoid drastic measures taken by other media organisations such as mass lay-offs or pay cuts for junior staff; notes the diverse and valuable contribution the Channel makes to British television in its efforts to explore and televise alternative comedy, race, religion and disability; recalls that the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications report entitled A Privatised Future for Channel Four?, published in July 2016, HL Paper 17, warned that the distinctive quality and contribution of Channel 4 News in particular could be adversely affected by privatisation; considers that any steps towards privatisation would inevitably replace Channel 4's characteristic public service ethos in favour of the narrow interests of shareholder profit; and calls on the Government to halt plans to sell off a Great British institution and to publish its analysis of its consultation on a change of ownership of Channel 4 Television Corporation.