Green Paper - Frequently asked questions

This section is where you'll find FAQs and answers to questions about the DCMS Green Paper which was published on Wednesday 2 March 2005.



What is a Green Paper?



An outline proposal document which is used for consultation – in this case published by the DCMS on the future of the BBC.



Who has contributed to the Green Paper?



A whole range of people and organisations have already put forward their views on the BBC and influenced the contents of the Green Paper. For example the DCMS ran a public consultation between January and March last year which invited members of the public, industry and interest groups etc. to voice their opinions. A different type of contribution can be seen in the series of DCMS seminars chaired by Lord Burns during late 2004, which examined a wide range of the BBC's activities, and made a number of recommendations to the Secretary of State.



What happens once the Green Paper is published?



The BBC has made an initial statement on the Green Paper. It will take a little time to review the Green Paper fully and produce a detailed document setting out our response.



More on the Charter Review process and how the Green Paper fits in.



When will the BBC respond to the Green Paper?



The BBC will produce a detailed response to the Green Paper before the end of May, when the consultation process closes. This response will help inform the thinking of the DCMS as they begin to shape their White Paper towards the end of the year.



Who will produce the BBC's response?



The Green Paper response will be produced by the BBC's Charter Review team, which is led by Caroline Thomson, Director, Charter Review.



How do Charter Review and Green Paper fit with the other BBC changes?



The Green Paper is a key step in the process of renewing the BBC's Royal Charter: without our Charter the BBC as we know it wouldn't exist. For an explanation of how Charter Review fits in with other BBC changes go here.



How can I contribute?



Everyone is eligible to contribute to the DCMS' consultation and we would encourage you to get involved. Internally you can pass on ideas and comments to the Charter Review team using the online feedback form on this site or come along to the face to face events we'll be setting up over the next few months to discuss the Green Paper and its implications for our future.



How can I ask a question or pass on a comment?



Use the online feedback form on this site.