A country where watching TV can become a criminal case

Britain likes to think of itself as a nation of common sense. Yet it maintains laws that turn ordinary behaviour into prosecutable offences. Watching or recording live television without a licence - and using BBC iPlayer without one - is an offence that can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000. A standard colour TV licence costs £174.50 a year. Those are not mere rumours; they are indisputably written down in official guidance, a fact that should give any British citizen pause for thought and reflection on the nature of personal freedom and the imposition of such laws. These regulations might seem mundane to some, yet they are stark reminders of the intricate lines between legality and daily life.

This is not about whether the BBC should exist or how public broadcasting should be funded. It is indeed about a deeper point: when a state criminalises everyday life, enforcement stops feeling like justice and starts to increasingly feel like revenue collection for the government. Every day, individuals navigate a society where what was once considered typical behaviour now risks falling foul of the law, creating an environment of heightened anxiety around simple tasks and activities that most would consider innocuous.

And once you accept one small criminalisation as normal, it becomes considerably easier to accept the next. Society begins to change subtly. Today’s tolerable restrictions could lead to tomorrow’s accepted norms, gradually eroding the public’s perception of their rights. Observing the gradual shift in perspectives can be alarming; the consequences of accepting these changes might lead to further restrictions and penalties, entrenching the state’s control over individual freedoms. Citizens must remain vigilant in questioning the implications of such legislation, pushing back against a system that may impose constraints on the very essence of freedom.

Some people can argue their way out of trouble. Others cannot - even when they are right. We have all had the experience: you say the wrong thing in the moment, you freeze, you get flustered, your mouth goes dry, and the perfect sentence arrives twenty minutes later - too late to matter. This often leads to regret and frustration. Now imagine that same feeling, but the stakes are your home, your income, your child, your freedom, your future employability. Imagine trying to explain yourself in a tribunal when you have never been taught how to write a statement, how to organise evidence, how to challenge a claim without sounding evasive or lacking confidence, or, even worse, being perceived as “aggressive” or “unreasonable”.

A broken system hits everyone. But it hits hardest when someone lacks the confidence, literacy, or social capital to fight back. In that sense, unfairness is often a disability tax. Those who possess the necessary skills or have the experience to navigate these intricate situations often come out unscathed, while others are left scrambling. This unequal playing field perpetuates a cycle of disadvantage for those who are not able to articulate their needs, defend their rights, or advocate for themselves in situations where it matters the most. It's crucial to acknowledge this disparity and work collectively towards a more equitable framework for all individuals, regardless of their background.