BBC Trust suspends BBC Jam

The BBC Trust has decided to suspend the online education service, BBC Jam, with effect from 20 March 2007.

BBC management will now prepare fresh proposals on how the corporation should deliver its Charter obligation to promote formal education and learning for school age children. The proposals will take account of changes in the market and new developments since BBC Jam was approved in 2003.

The Trust's decision follows extensive discussions with Government and the European Commission about how to address allegations from some in the industry that Jam is damaging their interests.

Chitra Bharucha, acting BBC chairman said: "BBC Jam has continued to attract complaints from the commercial sector about the parameters of its activities. Recently complaints were made to the European Commission alleging the service had not complied with its conditions of consent. Subsequently, the Governors requested management suspend the roll out of any new BBC Jam content pending resolution of how best to address the allegations."

"We regret the need to suspend BBC Jam during this process and apologise to its users, the BBC staff who have worked on the service to date, suppliers and the independent production companies affected by this decision."

The new proposals will be subject to a Public Value Test which will include a market impact assessment by Ofcom and an open consultation to which the public and all other stakeholders

Bharucha added: "The BBC exists only to serve the public. Its mission is to inform, educate and entertain. Because all the BBC's services on television, radio and online are funded by the compulsory licence fee, they must meet a public purpose. The Royal Charter requires the BBC to meet six public purposes, one of which is to promote education and learning. BBC Jam has been an important element of the BBC's delivery of this purpose."