Auntie bites the bullet

What tactics do can corporations use when cornered by prospective asset-strippers? The BBC has gone for leaking pre-emptive strikes regarding self-imposed cuts on its radio, television and web output.

Strategically, this is clever. It creates an atmosphere where unions and audiences will be in rebellion, PR for the services that due for abolition will be generated and a prospective incoming Conservative government will come off looking like the bad guys.

No one can argue that the BBC needs pruning, but 6 Music, the Asian Network, foreign programming and sports all have vociferous supporters. And the corporation provides for a multitude of niches rather than raw, commercial monoculture.

The BBC may be calling the bluff of the politicians and corporate media owners as the alternatives to public-service broadcasting become clearer.

And the proposed cuts are not yet even official.