Tanjil Rashid

A once-great engine of culture, slowly running out of steam: the BBC at 100

The programmes marking the BBC's centenary offer a much-needed consideration of the place of the broadcaster in our society

A 1942 edition of Orwell’s monthly BBC radio programme Voice which broadcast modern poetry to India. Left to right, seated: BBC broadcaster Venu Chitale, M.J. Tambimuttu, T.S. Eliot, Una Marson, Mulk Raj Anand and BBC staff members Christopher Pemberton and Narayana Menon. Left to right, standing: George Orwell, Orwell’s secretary Nancy Parratt and William Empson. Credit: BBC

Already a subscriber? Log in

This article is for subscribers only

Subscribe and get your first month of access for free. After that it’s just £10.99 a month.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

  • Unlimited access to our website and app
  • Enjoy Spectator newsletters and podcasts
  • Explore our online archive, going back to 1828

Comments

A blooming good offer

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting the next 3 months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in