U.K. Culture Secretary John Whittingdale is looking to requirethe British Broadcasting Corp.to provide the salaries of more than 100 of its biggest talents, The Telegraph reported May 6.
The government is seeking more transparency as it drafts proposalsto determine the BBC's future, according to the report. The BBC would be requiredto provide information on the specific pay packages given to employees and freelancersmaking at least £150,000. Those paid through independent production companies wouldnot be subject to the rules.
Sources from the BBC countered that being required to providethe salary information will result in wage inflation and will make it harder toget bigger talent who will not want publicly revealed salaries, The Telegraphreported.
Among other proposals to be set out in a white paper are theabolishment of the BBC's governing body, the BBC Trust; the addition of a new unitaryboard; further regulation by Ofcom; and the appointment of the National Audit Officeas financial auditor, according to the report.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sportdeclined to comment to the news outlet.