There have also been several proposals to use interactive TV to allow public-participant debates on political issues and on things like GM crops and other controversial issues that have a big societal impact - there have even been ideas mooted that i-TV could be used for voting, particularly on local issues.

It's important to realise that, although the BBC is publically funded, it is not controlled by the British Government (although that role has been compromised occasionally, particularly during WWII). The license fee is paid directly to the BBC and the BBC's charter is explicit about it's impartiality. Usually the incumbent government complains that the BBC is biassed against it - which is usually a good sign that things are working correctly.

Pete

God is our guide! from field, from wave, From plough, from anvil, and from loom; We come, our country's rights to save, And speak a tyrant faction's doom: We raise the watch-word liberty; We will, we will,we will be free!