The can help tackle a “crisis of trust” in UK society, the broadcaster’s director general is expected say in a speech later.
Tim Davie will set out measures he says will allow the broadcaster to play a leading role in reversing a breakdown in trust in information and institutions, as well as combating division and disconnection between people.
They include expanding fact-checking service Verify, doing more to counter disinformation, and enhancing its local journalism.
“The is ready to play its full part – not to defend the past, but to help shape the future,” he is expected to say, according to advance extracts of the speech.
“A future where trusted information strengthens democracy, where every child has a fair start, where creativity fuels growth and social capital, and where no-one is left behind in the digital age.”
The speech in Salford will set out Mr Davie’s vision for the corporation’s future.
The ‘s current royal charter, which sets out the terms and purposes of its existence, expires in 2027, and negotiations with the government about its renewal are ramping up.
He will argue that the can play a key part in making the UK a “global leader in trusted information”, support democracy, boost education and economic growth, and improve digital access.
“The future of our civilised, cohesive, democratic society is, for the first time in my life, at risk,” Mr Davie will say.
“I have no doubt that we face a crisis. It is a crisis that has been well documented and debated. The dramatic rise of people who feel more lonely in a connected world, who don’t feel involved and who feel others are benefitting from a changed world.
“We see profound changes in people’s trust in the information that they are receiving, and their associated faith that those who have information are acting in their interests.”
The says it is the most trusted news provider in the UK, with 45% of the population naming it as the source they trusted the most in 2024. That is down from 57% a decade ago.
Other proposed measures include using artificial intelligence “for good” in its Bitesize educational service by giving every child an automated “personal learning companion”.
Mr Davie will also call for a national plan to switch off traditional broadcast transmissions in the 2030s, and ensure a “smooth” transition to internet-only delivery of programmes.
The could launch its own device aimed at people who haven’t switched to streaming, based on the existing Freely online service, Mr Davie said.
“We want to double down on Freely as a universal free service to deliver live TV over broadband.
“And we want to consider developing and launching a streaming media device with Freely capabilities built in, with a radically simplified user interface specifically designed to help those yet to benefit from IP services.”
