Following a year in which it came under increased scrutiny, and up for much criticism, the BBC is about to begin a PR fightback, by claiming that the Corporation generates £7.6 billion a year for the British economy, and that the way the state-owned broadcaster currently operates, and is funded, is by far the best system for the British public at large. 

With most commercial broadcasters and media owners having to deal with serious advertising slumps in the last twelve months, the BBC, with its safe licence fee income, has been criticised by competitors, politicians and others for paying out large six and seven figure salaries to senior executives and top on-screen talent. Opponents argue that the BBC's traditional justification for big pay packets, that they are paying the going industry rate, doesn't stack up now that commercial media firms are cutting costs left, right and centre.

Said opponents want the Beeb to slash its budgets, either so to cut the licence fee, or to make some of it available to commercial broadcasters providing public service type content. Others have suggested the BBC should be forced to sell off its commercial operations that operate under the BBC Worldwide banner, and maybe even some of its more mainstream non-commercial services, like Radios 1 and 2.

But, according to The Guardian, BBC bosses will this month issue a report that justifies the licence fee and the Corporation's use of it. The report will also claim that a privatised BBC would lose the UK £4 billion in income, and that the independent production sector, who provide at least a quarter of the BBC's programming, would be £1.4 billion down.

It will also argue that its investment in digital innovations such as the Freeview platform has helped create new spin-off industries worth up to £250 million a year, while its commitment to employ 7000 staff outside of London leads to regional investment that few commercial media firms would provide.

The report is seen as step one in a widespread strategy by BBC bosses to combat efforts by both Labour and Conservative politicians - but especially the latter, should they form government this year - to cut back the Beeb. A number of voluntary budget cuts and an increase in British programme production, instead of imported programming, are also expected to be part of the bid to convince decision makers that the current funding system for the BBC is the right one, and that the Corporation's management are using their lucky licence fee revenues responsibly.