Tories decimate British culture

Such actions will inevitably affect the arts and as a result, in recent months
there has been a great deal of resentment building. 

Campaigns
have been launched by well-known names to try to persuade the government not to
cut arts funding. David Hockney, Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst are just some of
the artists that have launched a protest to remind the government of the
benefits of the arts on both a social and economic level.

The
previous government channelled a great deal of money into cultural
institutions, which allowed museums and art galleries to offer free entry to
their exhibits; led to the renovation of many older buildings and enabled new
arts and culture related buildings to be constructed.

BSkyB already has the clout to get much of what
it wants; from sports rights to film premieres

The
fact is that many people do visit art galleries and museums, only because
entrance is free. Those on lower incomes
who are looking for a family day out may not be able to afford the entrance
fees if it becomes necessary to begin charging. The government is hoping that
private corporations and benefactors can be persuaded to bridge the gap with
donations, but the truth is that many companies are having to tighten their
belts and donations to the arts will be low on their list of priorities.

The
closing of the UK Film Council, one of the many quangos to be shut down by the
government, shows the precarious position of the arts in the UK. The film
council helped to bring many independent films to our screens and without it
there are many filmmakers who will simply not be able to work. The film
industry in Britain spent many years struggling and moves like this will ensure
that it continues to do so.

Rupert
Murdoch’s recent attempt to purchase a 61 percent share of BSkyB is an example of how
the government can interfere with the arts. Given the vast media holdings
already controlled by Murdoch’s corporations, this is seen as a move to
completely take over the company, which would give him the opportunity to do
what he has already done in other countries.

A good
example is The Fox Channel, which operates in the USA and is seen as a
mouthpiece for Murdoch’s political views. So far he has been unable to launch a
similar channel in the UK, but BSkyB already has the clout to get much of what
it wants; from sports rights to film premieres and the proposed buyout would
increase both its buying power and influence.

The
Murdoch newspaper group ignored the fact that there were plans to block the
move by the government, instead choosing to report on the redundancy package
given to the BBC’s deputy director general. There is already a tendency to
ignore news if it shows Murdoch in an adverse light and increasing his media
holdings would surely continue this trend.