This is what the Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries, has said we are.

Why does a member of an elected government - whose job it is to listen to us, hear our concerns, represent us and act in our interests - think it's ok to dismiss us when we express those concerns?  

Channel 4 belongs to us. We have every right to protest a sell off that isn't in our interests.

It's not news that this government doesn't much like us exercising our democratic rights.  Look at what they've tried to push through recently around the right to protest - which is central to a healthy democracy.  

Back in March, the House of Lords had to step in and make a historic intervention to reject, for the third time, a government bill to curb the right to protest. The bill was described as 'deeply authoritarian.'

Here again is the open letter expressing 'dismay' at what this 'baffling decision' will mean for real people with real lives in real places around the country - not talking heads  - real people.

Real people who have every right to make their feelings known before it's too late and the deal is done.

*****

Dorries says Channel 4 needs to compete with Amazon Prime and Netflix.

Channel 4's remit is to be independent, bold and risk taking. Its job is to represent the diversity of our lives and voices - which, to borrow Dorries's word, would be too 'niche' for the streaming giants.  

Being 'niche' is a feature not a failure. 
Being local and relevant to our communities is exactly why we want to protect Channel 4 and see it grow increasingly faithful to its remit:

Channel 4 was created to be a disruptive, innovative force in UK broadcasting

'To champion unheard voices
Our programmes shine a light on stories untold elsewhere.

To innovate and take bold creative risks
We drive innovation, taking more risks than other channels.

To inspire change in the way we lead our lives
We inspire citizenship and stimulate debate among viewers.

To stand up for diversity across the UK
Diversity is the lifeblood of Channel 4, and we are committed to celebrating Great Britain in all of its diversity through our programmes.'

How long before a new private owner decides it's unprofitable to champion unheard voices, it's unprofitable to be innovative and take bold creative risks, it's unprofitable to stand up for diversity in the UK?  Coke might be It, but Gogglebox is us - how long would it last?

“The very public service principles that have served us so well are under severe threat – not only from the unregulated streaming services and ‘clickbait’ content of big tech companies, but also from government,”

 -  from an open letter signed by David Attenborough

Let's keep on signing and sharing. 

Thanks!