THE BBC yesterday published what it described as "an unprecedented warts and all" annual report as it seeks to be seen to be more accountable to the licence-paying general public.

However, there was no succour for those critics who have latterly decried the BBC's mammoth ongoing investment in digital broadcasting technology. The corporation's detractors have accused it of having spent multi-millions on creating a parallel network of TV channels which largely go unseen by the vast majority of viewers of terrestrial TV. Yesterday's annual report thus offers implicit support for outgoing Director General Sir John Birt, and his vision of the future, often summarised by TV insiders as "The rule of DG: Digital is God."

The BBC's critics were among those invited to a public seminar on the annual report at Broadcasting House. Westminster MPs have also been given a chance to comment on the report, with Sir John and BBC chairman Sir Christopher Bland submitting themselves to questioning by the Culture, Media and Sport select committee.