Julian Knight - Tory Chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee - told i News that 

'the decision to privatise Channel 4 showed No 10 was feeling more emboldened in the wake of the Partygate scandal'

How deeply depressing: 'emboldened in the wake of Partygate' (such a shoddy scandal of carelessness, arrogance and disregard) and under cover of world events, No 10 decided it was a perfect time to push for the privatisation of Channel 4. That's so poor, isn't it?

Please tweet your MP to #SaveChannel4 by clicking here 

(I've written a suggested tweet to make it quick and easy, but feel free to write whatever you like. It only takes 30 seconds)  

They can't sell off Channel 4 without MPs voting for it. 
Channel 4 belongs to us and MPs are elected to represent our interests.

We need to protect what we value from those who don't recognise its worth.

We need to protect independent media. 
We need to protect independent journalism that is not cowed or controlled by those in power.

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Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said that while Channel 4 held a “cherished place in British life” she felt that public ownership was holding the broadcaster back from “competing against streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon”.

Here are extracts from an open letter written in response to the proposed privatisation of Channel 4 : 
(organised by West Yorkshire mayor, Tracy Brabin & Sir Roger Marsh OBE DL, co signed by  70+ - including mayors  Andy Burnham, Dan Jarvis, Sadiq Khan, Steve Rotheram, Jamie Driscoll and Dr Nik Johnson)

"As leaders, creatives and businesses across the United Kingdom, we are dismayed to hear that you have decided to move forward with plans to sell Channel 4."

"The unique public service model guarantees a meaningful commitment to talent, people and ideas in places like West Yorkshire and beyond. From Bristol to Bradford, Leeds to Lincoln, Glasgow to Gwynedd: 

Channel 4’s remit ensures that the programming reflects the lives of people across the vibrant and diverse Britain that we are all proud to call home."

"With the BBC’s Media City on the doorstep in Salford, the new headquarters signalled the beginning of a real Northern powerhouse in the cultural industries.  

Across the North, there was an excitement, with the next generation at the very forefront of our minds – a publicly owned Channel 4 bringing skills and training opportunities, apprenticeships and a genuine offer to harbour independent talent."

"We saw some of the UK’s largest independent producers setting up in the region or expanding their presence, alongside new production and studio facilities, plus significant financial support from the public sector. 

Is this not levelling up in action?"

"Channel 4 is a service made for us, but at no cost to us. It’s the jewel in our crown and something that we are rightly, very proud of."

"Your decision to privatise threatens the Channel 4 we know and love, its commitment to nations and regions and the UK’s unique, diverse and extraordinary creative sectors and independents.

"We would strongly urge you to reconsider this extraordinary and confusing decision."

(You can read the full text of the letter on the link attached)

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Please keep signing and sharing our petition across all social media platforms - We're on our way to 500k!

thank you!