Watch this talk on YouTube: recording link to follow

As Professor Jean Seaton will point out, the world’s five richest men can and do interfere in our national politics – because they own the platforms we use.

The algorithms we live in are designed to elicit responses and emotions to make more profit for their owners. While foreign, malign powers incite conflict, insecurity and distrust.

Fortunately, we have the BBC which, despite a 40% revenue cut, remains the world’s largest independent organisation.

The BBC is based on the very British values of informing, educating and entertaining the public – in the interests of the public, not profit or politicians.

Jean is a Professor of Media History, wrote a volume of the Official History of the BBC, was Director (now President) of the Orwell Foundation, and is a founding member of the campaigning British Broadcasting Challenge Group.