A bit late posting this(!), but am doing so because the programme is going to be available to listen to online for at least a year – and it was really interesting to listen to. In July, BBC Radio 4’s flagship program Face the Facts investigated the relationship between charities and government, and revealed how the latter can react to criticism or questioning of policy. Quite an eye-opener, even for someone working for a charity – and worth a listen.
The program is available here.
Charity’s New Mission?: Do More, Say Less
Duration: 27 minutes
First broadcast: Wednesday 23 July 2014
Gagging clauses, threats of closure and self-censorship imposed through fear of losing funding – John Waite investigates claims by leading figures in the charity sector that they are being silenced. He hears of a “chilling effect” as voluntary organisations fear for their future if they dare to speak out about local or central government policy. Others, however, tell John that more needs to be done to limit political campaigning and that charities need to concentrate more on helping directly, those in need.