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Written Question
BBC World Service: Finance
Monday 17th November 2025

Asked by: Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have for continued investment in the BBC World Service.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Lady to the answer I provided on 24 June 2025 to Question HL8298.

Written Question
Afghanistan: Journalism
Wednesday 12th April 2023

Asked by: Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the numbers of Afghan journalists currently at risk of persecution in (1) Afghanistan, (2) Pakistan, and (3) Iran, for their professional activities.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The UK is a champion of media freedom and a proud member of the Media Freedom Coalition. Defending media freedom at home and abroad is a priority for the UK. In Afghanistan, we understand that around 40 per cent of media outlets have ceased to operate and that 60 per cent of journalists have lost their jobs since August 2021. We continue to address the issue of media freedom in our discussions with the Taliban. We regularly raise media freedom at a senior level with the Government of Pakistan, most recently in January 2023. We condemn the Iranian authorities' crackdown on journalists and continue to raise the Iranian peoples' right to access independent media. The UK regularly engages countries on the need to respect human rights, including on freedom of expression and media freedom.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 10 Mar 2022
Ukraine: BBC World Service

"To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to support the provision of the BBC World Service to the people of Ukraine...."
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech

View all Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Ukraine: BBC World Service
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 10 Mar 2022
Ukraine: BBC World Service

"My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. We have had a bit of a warm-up, but there is no harm in that. Among the many incredibly distressing events unfolding in Ukraine is Putin’s manipulation, distortion and, most recently, penalising of free media. I pay tribute to all …..."
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech

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Written Question
Afghanistan: Repatriation
Wednesday 10th November 2021

Asked by: Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prioritise the safe evacuation from Afghanistan of journalists (1) currently, and (2) formerly, employed by the BBC who are at risk as a result of their professional associations.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

It remains a top priority to help those British nationals and those Afghans eligible to come to the UK, to leave Afghanistan, including journalists. Since the end of the military evacuation, the Government has facilitated the departure of both Afghan and British nationals from Afghanistan. Although travel within Afghanistan remains dangerous, and many border crossings have been closed during this period, we have also helped both British nationals and eligible Afghans when they have crossed into third countries, from where our diplomatic missions have been able to support their onward travel to the UK. We will continue to work to take advantage of all opportunities to help those eligible to come to the UK to leave Afghanistan.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 18 Jan 2021
International Soft Power Strategy: Role of BBC

"My Lords, I welcome the words of Richard Sharp, the newly appointed chair of the BBC, that it is

“part of the fabric of all our national identities”.

Does the noble Lord the Minister agree? And does he agree that a globally strong and domestically supported BBC is massively in …..."
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech

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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 08 Jun 2020
Press Freedom

"I know that the Minister agrees that the ability of journalists to do their job unhindered by threats of or the actual experience of violence is a vital part of our democracy. The UK embassy in Washington has raised concerns about the conduct of US police officers. Is there not …..."
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech

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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 12 Mar 2014
BBC World Service

"My noble friend clearly agrees about the importance of a healthy and vibrant World Service. In February, Peter Horrocks, the director of the service, told the Foreign Affairs Committee of ambitious plans to extend the service it offers. He said:

“We are launching and creating many new digital and TV …..."
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech

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Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 17 May 2011
BBC World Service

"My Lords, I suspect that many noble Lords saw the photograph of a young man protesting in Deraa, Syria, holding up a placard on which was written “Thank you BBC”. I think that that says it all. Can the Minister persuade his friends at DfID that the World Service is …..."
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech

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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 10 Mar 2011
Zimbabwe

"My Lords, I, too, congratulate my noble friend Lord Avebury on securing this debate. He is a man I am proud to sit alongside on these Benches for all that he does for oppressed people. This is a time when the process of political reform in Zimbabwe is under serious …..."
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech

View all Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Zimbabwe