Created in 1939 on the outset of WW2, its purpose was, and
still is, to gather and interpret international news as rapidly and economically
as possible.
Initially employing several hundred 'monitors', many of them
refugees, the service rapidly expanded so that it could 'listen' 24 hours a day
to all the European languages likely to be of wartime use. The BBC and wider
world quickly recognised the uniqueness and value of BBC Monitoring, calling it
in 1940 'a modern Tower of Babel'. Churchill was an avid customer of the
service, and would ring up in the middle of the night and ask (of Hitler)
'What's that fellow been saying?'
The organisation played
an important role in helping observers keep track of developments post WW2,
including the Cold War, the disintegration of the Iron Curtain and collapse of
the Soviet Union. Also monitored were the Falklands conflict, Yugoslav wars and
Middle East hostilities. Over the years, BBC Monitoring has innovated and
developed, now monitoring over 3,000 sources (across radio, TV, press, internet
and news agencies), in 100 languages and across 150 countries. Its purpose
remains to observe, understand and explain the world's media, and so help
Britain and international audiences follow and interpret key events.
Initially based in London then Evesham, BBC Monitoring moved
in 1943 to Caversham Park near Reading, where it is still based.
Tanti auguri e complimenti sinceri, Mrs. BBC.
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