The BBC must do more to address impartiality and eradicate groupthink, the Government has warned in its White Paper on the future of broadcasting.

       The corporation has already set out a 10-point impartiality action plan which promises to ensure that a breadth of viewpoints are reflected in its coverage.

       But the Government said it did not go far or fast enough, insisting that change “must be delivered” if the BBC is to retain its status as a great national institution.

       The Government said it would also scrutinise Ofcom’s role as regulator of the BBC, and ask if the system needs improvement. Currently, anyone with a complaint against the BBC must take it directly to the broadcaster in the first instance, and can only refer the complaint to Ofcom if they are dissatisfied at the end of the BBC process.

       The White Paper set out the Government’s intention to explore alternatives to the licence fee, looking for “the most fair and appropriate funding mechanism” which will be introduced when the current Charter period ends in December 2027.

       “An increasing number of households are choosing not to hold a TV licence, as fewer people choose to watch live TV or other activities that require a TV licence.

       “Should this trend continue as expected there are clear challenges on the horizon to the sustainability of the licence fee,” the Paper said.

       It went on: “The BBC needs to address issues around impartiality and groupthink and to do so it needs to make material and swift progress on its 10-Point Impartiality and Editorial Standards Action Plan.

       “The Government also wants to see the BBC taking steps to reform over the next six years. This includes taking action to improve its impartiality, which is central to the BBC’s Mission and to maintaining trust with audiences… While the Action Plan is a good start, changes are necessary and they need to be delivered.”

       Charter review

       The Government’s mid-term Charter review will look at how effective the BBC’s governance and regulation is “in enabling progress against our ambitions for greater impartiality, more accountability for its editorial standards including the handling of complaints, and a BBC that represents the breadth of the audience it was established to serve.

       “This is not just about how well the BBC is doing - we also want to look at the effectiveness of the framework by which Ofcom holds the BBC to account.”

       A BBC spokesman said: “We look forward to engaging with the Government on both the forthcoming mid-term review and then the national debate on the next Charter.

       “The White Paper recognises the BBC’s critical role in supporting the UK creative sector and we remain focused on delivering great value for all licence fee payers and representing the UK to audiences around the world.”