BBC Jam website suspended

The BBC's educational resource website, BBC Jam, will be taken offline from 20 March after complaints from the commercial sector.

Some organisations that also provide resources for the education system have said that BBC Jam is exceeding its remit and damaging their interests.

The BBC Trust, which undertook a lengthy examination of the market before approving the launch of BBC Jam, has decided to withdraw the service because of the allegations.

"Despite a rigorous approval process 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," said Chitra Bharucha, acting BBC Chairman.

BBC Jam was officially launched in January 2006, although some content was 'soft-launched' before this. The site included materials for teachers, pupils and parents covering several different subject areas and featured interactive learning aids.

"We regret that for the BBC, all staff involved in the service, our external production partners and the many people who have enjoyed using BBC Jam over recent months – children, their parents and teachers alike – the decision to suspend the service will come as a real disappointment," said Mark Thompson, director-general of the BBC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/jam/

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