The Future of the BBC

[aeolium]

There does seem to be a general consensus emerging about over-management, not just in the Tariq Ali piece, but also Dimbleby on Today and John Simpson in the Telegraph. I agree with Ali that this began in the 1980s with Birt, and it seemed to have got worse under Thompson (at least until 2009 when cutbacks were required). Hopefully there will emerge a simpler management structure, with a greater emphasis on programme-makers, producers and editors.

In our town there used to be a Step Aside Inn, the name still discernible in large letters carved out of the facade. The inn has long gone now, but perhaps this crisis will result in a twist on the old cliché, and there will be talk about people drinking in the step aside saloon.

[Serial_Apologist]

Although I don't know what makes Tariq Ali specially competent to judge ...

As much as any of us, I would have said. Tariq has been involved in broadcasting, as anyone who remembers his fine Bundung File series of arts/culture programmes on CH4 will remind.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

i do not have a clue where the posh Boys and general powers that be want to put the BBC in our present state of forensic national archaeology - inquiries here inquiries there etc ..... but some observations

... it does not seem to me that the great British public has lost trust in the institution .. we likely trust it far more than politicians, print media, and commercial broadcasters [especially since it has been transparent and critical in reporting itself in a manner to shame all politicians, the press and Mr Murdoch & Son ...

Auntie [not AUNT] is not just loved but needed, any politician who screws with it will ignite an unheard of fury in the land .... the whole Westminster Village and Media Chatterers are out of touch with the the general population; the crisis fits their self interest and narcissism too much for them to have any idea of the centrality of Auntie in everyday life

there is some very vindictive reporting and malicious reporting going on ...

AUNT as an overstuffed bag of managerialism, corporatism and status malarkey has been noted in this place and elsewhere for some time now ... those more equal etc ... but that only makes it like all other Brit organisations [Civil Service etc as well as Business]

Newsnight broadcast a factually incorrect story about a person it did not name based on unchecked evidence[off to the headmaster and bend over etc but not a great scandal] as opposed to the tabloid press which printed inaccurate stories about people it named based on illegally obtained evidence, distorted evidence, false evidence and no evidence ..... and is likely to face more than a caning from Leveson ... might their coverage reflect this ...?

the level of hysteria about this mistake is damagingly out of proportion .... revolutions can be sparked at this heat

[handsomefortune]

Beeb thinks it can delve into our masters' behaviour in any real way.

agreed greenilex, judging by similar situations in a local context (....rather than a national institutional one).

sadly, the tweeters and itv have also apparently helped significantly in messing everything up unfortunately.

it LOOKS like someone has decided that what they are going to do is reshuffle beeb personnel until they come up with a team of people who definitely wont squeak, and who provide a side show?

consequently, the news regarding js & co is currently left half told by our psb .... (is in the newspapers instead)!

we can only hope the newspapers, and current police investigation amaze us all, and the latter come up trumps...finally. (fingers crossed)

meanwhile professional beeb detractors must be jumping up and down with delight like chimps at a surprise tea party....!

[cloughie]

"Former BBC director general George Entwistle will receive one year's salary, worth £450,000, as part of a pay-off deal, the BBC Trust has said." (BBC Home Page)

Not really unreasonable; he's not going to be terribly employable for a bit & there aren't many job opportuniies. Still, it's a good hourly rate for under 2 months work & £450k is only part of the deal.

What utter nonsense - if he resigned he should get nothing - off to the Job Centre to sign on for jobseekers allowance! If he was sacked then he may be eligible for compensation. What cuts will we the licence-payers - the BBC's Shareholders with no say have to add to pay for his wages?

[kernelbogey]

... it does not seem to me that the great British public has lost trust in the institution .. we likely trust it far more than politicians, print media, and commercial broadcasters [especially since it has been transparent and critical in reporting itself in a manner to shame all politicians, the press and Mr Murdoch & Son ...

Auntie [not AUNT] is not just loved but needed, any politician who screws with it will ignite an unheard of fury in the land .... the whole Westminster Village and Media Chatterers are out of touch with the the general population; the crisis fits their self interest and narcissism too much for them to have any idea of the centrality of Auntie in everyday life ....

Newsnight broadcast a factually incorrect story about a person it did not name based on unchecked evidence[off to the headmaster and bend over etc but not a great scandal] as opposed to the tabloid press which printed inaccurate stories about people it named based on illegally obtained evidence, distorted evidence, false evidence and no evidence ..... and is likely to face more than a caning from Leveson ... might their coverage reflect this ...?

[kernelbogey]

What utter nonsense - if he resigned he should get nothing - off to the Job Centre to sign on for jobseekers allowance! If he was sacked then he may be eligible for compensation. What cuts will we the licence-payers - the BBC's Shareholders with no say have to add to pay for his wages?

I disagree. And I allow those who run the BBC to dispose of licence-payers' funds as they see fit. I don't agree with the fees paid to Jonathan Ross, the amount spent on sport, etc etc but I leave it to them to make these calls. BBC D-G is one of the most high profile jobs in the country and Entwistle was found wanting in a matter by no means wholly of his personal making.

[french frank]

As much as any of us, I would have said. Tariq has been involved in broadcasting, as anyone who remembers his fine Bundung File series of arts/culture programmes on CH4 will remind.

Or as little as any of us! I meant I don't think he has any particular insight into how the BBC works.

He may be right in what he says, but it's been said inside and outside the BBC for some time e.g. Patten on cuts in management from 18 months ago. The 'compliance' straitjacket has been infamous.

[french frank]

I disagree. And I allow those who run the BBC to dispose of licence-payers' funds as they see fit. I don't agree with the fees paid to Jonathan Ross, the amount spent on sport, etc etc but I leave it to them to make these calls. BBC D-G is one of the most high profile jobs in the country and Entwistle was found wanting in a matter by no means wholly of his personal making.

Not that it will count with many people, but Thompson had a big cut in salary before he left, and Entwistle was offered even less - not much more than half what Thompson was earning at one point.

I think the 'resignation' issue is more complex than some seem to suggest here. I've resigned from three jobs and wasn't paid anything - but it was my decision with no outside pressures. If Entwistle felt his continuing as D-G would be a major problem for the BBC, then he was making a sacrifice - not wanting to go but choosing to do so in the interests of the BBC.

As to the amount, yes, I agree it's contentious, not least because interests on all sides are looking to pounce on the BBC at every opportunity. I do think the finger is beginning to point at Lord P, but to have a D-G and a Chairman going at the same time over the same issue - again, only eight years after it last happened - probably wouldn't help. (Though it might be interesting to see Diane Coyle as Chairman and Caroline Thomson as D-G ... )

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

Though it might be interesting to see Diane Coyle as Chairman and Caroline Thomson as D-G ... )

excellent proposal ff .... gets my vote ... oh whoops i don't have one ...still good idea!!!

[handsomefortune]

apparently, downing street doesn't like the dg's pay off ..... kettle black pot etc

[kernelbogey]

Patten defending and explaining the payoff here.

"Under the terms of George's contract the notice period for resignation is six months. The notice period for termination by the BBC Trust is 12 months. Both with the right for the trust to make payments in lieu of notice," Patten said.

[aeolium]

Not that it will count with many people, but Thompson had a big cut in salary before he left

That was mainly to do with pension top up payments for senior BBC executives, which had to be reformed because of a large pension fund deficit. I think Thompson could see the pressure coming from the incoming government. And prior to that cut, his total salary had increased by 50% from what it was when he became D-G in 2004 (then £560K).

I am not sure that Entwistle was right to resign, even though he probably felt his reputation had been too badly damaged. Editorial decisions about news programmes ought to be taken at a lower level (and clearly were, even if they were the wrong ones in the two Newsnight cases). Do we really want a situation in which the D-G regularly gets involved in this kind of decision? It would make his/her job impossible. What are the editors and news bosses for?

I also disagreed with the resignations of Dyke and Gavin Davies following the deplorable Hutton report which is now widely seen to be lopsided (not least as a result of evidence being provided to the Chilcot enquiry). If resignations of the top people at the BBC and the Trust are going to become the standard procedure whenever there is a serious controversy then it makes a mockery of the independence of the BBC.

[amateur51]

That was mainly to do with pension top up payments for senior BBC executives, which had to be reformed because of a large pension fund deficit. I think Thompson could see the pressure coming from the incoming government. And prior to that cut, his total salary had increased by 50% from what it was when he became D-G in 2004 (then £560K).

I am not sure that Entwistle was right to resign, even though he probably felt his reputation had been too badly damaged. Editorial decisions about news programmes ought to be taken at a lower level (and clearly were, even if they were the wrong ones in the two Newsnight cases). Do we really want a situation in which the D-G regularly gets involved in this kind of decision? It would make his/her job impossible. What are the editors and news bosses for?

I also disagreed with the resignations of Dyke and Gavin Davies following the deplorable Hutton report which is now widely seen to be lopsided (not least as a result of evidence being provided to the Chilcot enquiry). If resignations of the top people at the BBC and the Trust are going to become the standard procedure whenever there is a serious controversy then it makes a mockery of the independence of the BBC.

some very good sensible stuff on this thread from you & kernelbogey - well done both

[cloughie]

I disagree. And I allow those who run the BBC to dispose of licence-payers' funds as they see fit. I don't agree with the fees paid to Jonathan Ross, the amount spent on sport, etc etc but I leave it to them to make these calls. BBC D-G is one of the most high profile jobs in the country and Entwistle was found wanting in a matter by no means wholly of his personal making.

So are you happy to see failure rewarded? -did he resign or was he sacked?
...and as with so many other things in life do we just shrug and pay up?