The National Union of Journalists and the British Internet Publishers' Alliance reckon that the BBC Trust should stop plans by the Beeb to include advertising on its overseas websites. The Corporation has been toying with the idea of adding adverts to its websites when accessed from outside the UK because some question why UK licence fee payers are funding online content read by large audiences outside the UK.
The BIPA are concerned that the move will provide a stepping stone for the BBC to become more commercial in the UK web space. The Corporation has already had to cut back some of its former online operations which were accused of falling outside of the Beeb's public service remit and using BBC resources to compete with commercial websites. The NUJ are concerned that the 'ads show when seen from abroad' system won't work, and also argue the commercialisation of BBC's online operations will have editorial impact.
The Trust is due to consider internal BBC proposals for online advertising tomorrow.