TENS of thousands of people have signed a petition against the Government’s “appalling” privatisation of Channel 4.

In a matter of hours, more than 40,000 people have expressed their fury against the Tory decision to sell off the public broadcaster in a petition directed towards Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

It was confirmed on Monday night that the Government would be pushing ahead with the plan – prompting Channel 4 to accuse ministers of failing to recognise the “significant public interest concerns” raised during the consultation on the matter.

The National:

A statement by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport claimed selling off the broadcaster would allow it to “thrive in the face of a rapidly changing media landscape”.

The channel – which is not publicly funded – said it is “disappointed” with the proposals, but will continue to “engage” with ministers.

Overnight, tens of thousands of people signed a petition urging the Government to think again.

EL McNally, who launched the change.ord petition, wrote that she was “appalled” by plans to sell the channel.

"Not in the interest of the viewing public"

“Channel 4 is responsible for some of the very best programming on UK TV,” she said. “Channel 4 News is one of the most trusted news programmes at a time when disinformation is rife.

“The mono culture that is sure to be the result of such a move would be seriously undermining of the health and creativity of UK TV programming.

“To privatise Channel 4 would seriously undermine programming aimed at all the communities, across generations, that make up this country.

“The government has no right to move ahead with a plan that is not in the interest of the viewing public.

“I hope we can all come together to protect the independence of this beloved, trusted and much needed channel.”

READ MORE: How is Channel 4 funded and why are the Tories selling it off?

You can sign the petition here.

The former head of news and current affairs at Channel 4 suggested on Tuesday that the privatisation policy would be “red meat” for Conservative voters.

Speaking to Times Radio, Dorothy Byrne said Channel 4 was not left-wing, adding: “I think it’s being privatised to throw a bit of red meat to Tory supporters of a very right-wing nature at a time that the Government is in trouble.

“I think the political agenda is to show that the Government is doing something radically right-wing to please people. It’s the same agenda as attacking the licence fee.

“It’s that knee-jerk thing, privatise thing, that’s a good thing to do.”