So Gavyn Davies quits, but will Andrew Gilligan get sacked? Will Greg Dyke be "eased out" in the coming months?
Are there changes ahead at BBC News?
I've heard lots of spin from the BBC itself about how it's already fixed its editorial problems but it seems more like the TV network is engaged in a political fight for the long run.
Doesn't BBC management realise that they're not politicians and that playing politics is itself damaging to BBC News's credibility?
Since the BBC refused to toe the government line, the only solution is to transfer BBC News into a new Ministry of Information and make it the official government mouthpiece.
First of all, there's a difference between patronising the government and making unsubstantiated allegations against it (a la Andrew Gilligan). At the very least he should have realised the seriousness of his allegations and been much better prepared to justify them. And BBC management should have demanded that he do so instead of downplaying the issue.
Secondly, Dr Kelly should not have consented to an unauthorised interview with Andrew Gilligan. Kelly was privy to secret government intelligence and was part of the decision making process--if only as a source of intelligence and analysis--and he should have respected those duties by not secretly meeting with the media. That was a mistake.
Thirdly, I don't commend Number 10 for leaking Dr Kelly's name to the press. But, would those who care to criticise Blair care to comment as to how they, as Prime Minister, would handle a situation such as this? A government employee privy to secret information has met with a reporter who is making a direct attack on your credibility and trustworthiness. How many options do you really have?
I do think the BBC should become regulated by Ofcom to put it on an even playing field with ITV / C4 / five etc.
It seems unfair that the BBC changed their news programme time with 2 weeks notice, while ITV had to go through years of negotiations with the ITC and then had the decision revoked.
Also, the BBC seem to get away with much more repeated than the terrestrial channels. Usually there is at least 30-mins of prime-time repeats each night, with upto 2 hours on a Wednesday, while ITV1 generally just has A Touch of Frost and a few off-peak repeats.
Also, they should sack Lorraine Heggesey - nothing to do with the Hutton Report - she's just ruining BBC1. Maybe she could be "promoted" to the chair of governers.
Indeed he has. Something odd happened then too, Lucy Jackson announced the news at the end of South Today and that more was on News 24 and then BBC One joined News 24 anyway.
Funnilly enough BBC News 24 seemed to have the worst camera position during that statement just then, you could hardly see Greg Dyke. They've obviously got a short cameraman
The female reporter getting shoved out of the way when Dyke appeared behind her was like a rerun of that classic clip when Margaret Thatcher appeared out of building that time.
Katie Derham just appeared live from the ITV Newsroom on ITV1 with an ITV News Report
At the very least he should have realised the seriousness of his allegations and been much better prepared to justify them.
I agree with you 100%, and that he should have watched the movie "All The President's Men".
Phileas Fogg posted:
Dr Kelly should not have consented to an unauthorised interview with Andrew Gilligan. Kelly was privy to secret government intelligence and was part of the decision making process
Which is why he had to be eliminated.
Now that his nemesis has been eliminated, Uncle Rupert must be rubbing his hands with glee, and so should be looking favorably on Tory Bliar for all of his work.
Perhaps Uncle Rupert should be invited to be the next Governor General of the BBC?
And why not get that other great European broadcaster on board as well -- Silvio Berluscone?
Did he resign or was he pushed, following the Board of Governors meeting?
Notice that the Establishment has only to snap its fingers, and the supposedly independent brokers of public service broadcasting in the UK start falling like nine pins.
Why hasn't Andrew Gilligan resigned or been sacked yet?
I can't believe what a useless sack of matter this guy is. He opens his mouth and says something incredibly dumb and his source dies and his bosses get canned (resignation is a graceful sort of canning).
This guy is soon to set a record for being the worst journalist in history.
Anyone else see the Thunderbirds strings coming from the new acting BBC Chairman and the shadowy figure of Tony Blair above him pulling them?
I bet you Greg Dyke resigned because of the decision by Tony Blair - sorry, I mean the BBC Governors - to apologise fully.
Lord Hutton should be in a retirement home rather than allowed to make important decisions like he's made. He wouldn't be allowed to fly an airplane, why should be be given any other job of responsibility?
He probably slept through most of the evidence (especially the bits about the Goverment lying) if he's anything like most judges!