As I would have continued before I suffered contributus interruptus ....

The Beeb is supposed to be impartial. Sadly, there's a tendency for it to lean in the direction of whichever party happens to be in power in the Commons, as it knows which side its licence fees are buttered on. Then there's the perception problem: whichever side is in opposition will perceive, loudly, that the Beeb leans towards the side in power. (In particular, when Labour are in power, the Tory press goes rabid.) And that's before we consider who appoints the Director General.

Well noted about Channel Four, BWM. I'd see that more if they did a rolling-news channel .... but then they'd get noticed more, and draw unwelcome attention.

PS: Point of order: Who was it that said that the fourth estate was a fifth column? a masterfully mixed metaphor.