Mick Hartley

A Telegraph View – aka editorial – on the current BBC crisis:

The BBC retains a major share of the UK’s media market, and a special place in the national psyche. Yet it is quite clear that it is failing to live up to the obligations that come with its privileged position, and its status as a publicly funded broadcaster. Director-general Tim Davie should set out clearly how he intends to address this scandal, and what steps he will take to restore confidence in the BBC.

At present, it appears quite evident that the tail has been allowed to wag the dog: the BBC’s management seems to be letting staff run rampant, apparently scared of the backlash should they insist on proper impartiality and enforcement of editorial standards. Should this continue, then pressure for reform must be applied from without the organisation. 

There is little hope that the Labour Government – which likely shares the BBC’s biases – will apply the requisite pressure.

The task therefore falls either to the MPs of the culture, media and sport select committee, or to Ofcom in its role as regulator responsible for the BBC’s editorial standards. One way or another, our national broadcaster must be jolted from its complacency.

I’m not holding my breath. As they say, the Labour government largely shares the BBC worldview – on trans, on Israel, on Trump. We have to rely on more BBC whistleblowers, and pressure from the rest of the media and the public at large.