I have to say I'm not too comfortable with the idea of journalists in these kinds of roles, although I know that it is far from unprecedented.
It's going to be very difficult for any interview or report that Gavin does about Higher Education topics to be perceived as unbiased. For example, if he were required to interview a union leader about the ongoing university staff pay dispute, it could be perceived that he is unable to be impartial.
(Note that I'm not questioning Gavin's integrity or professionalism, just the perception of it)
Not sure that Gavin's new role is full time. I think it is more of a part-time ceremonial role?
You're absolutely correct, noggin. There is no way that accepting a chancellorship would require Gavin to step down from his current roles at the BBC. Chancellors are usually only present for a university's formal occasions. At the university I work at, the chancellor presides over graduation ceremonies and foundation day celebrations. I think there's also a chancellor's dinner after graduation but I'm far too lowly to be invited to such things. It is the vice-chancellor of the university who provides day-to-day executive leadership and is effevtively the person who runs the university on behalf of the university council.
I was posting the link as I knew that Esler's role at the BBC was being discussed at the moment and thought that it'd be of interest - I certainly don't think that it will impact too heavily on any other positions he has. A chancellor to the vice-chancellor is a little like what the Queen is to the PM - a figurehead, a ceremonial position who has little involvement in the day-to-day running of the institution.
I feel sorry for Gavin Esler. His reputation has been tarnished following the broadcast of the Lord McAlpine report which turned into a saga. He presented that night and I cant help but feel that although I assume he had no editorial input he was a fall guy (one of many!) for what happened on that programme.
His reputation has been tarnished following the broadcast of the Lord McAlpine report
which turned into a saga. He presented that night and I cant help but feel that although I assume he had no editorial input
he was a fall guy
(one of many!) for what happened on that programme.
I feel sorry for Gavin Esler. His reputation has been tarnished following the broadcast of the Lord McAlpine report which turned into a saga. He presented that night and I cant help but feel that although I assume he had no editorial input he was a fall guy (one of many!) for what happened on that programme.
Not since you told us Kamal Ahmed (the Business editor of the Sunday Torygraph ) was left wing have you embarrassed yourself more in a post and that includes your pathetic and now deleted comment about Kate Silverton's pregnancy .
Btw have you checked out the two Private Eye articles about him in the last issue. Yeah very left wing
Not sure that Gavin's new role is full time. I think it is more of a part-time ceremonial role?
You're absolutely correct, noggin. There is no way that accepting a chancellorship would require Gavin to step down from his current roles at the BBC. Chancellors are usually only present for a university's formal occasions. At the university I work at, the chancellor presides over graduation ceremonies and foundation day celebrations. I think there's also a chancellor's dinner after graduation but I'm far too lowly to be invited to such things. It is the vice-chancellor of the university who provides day-to-day executive leadership and is effevtively the person who runs the university on behalf of the university council.
That is precisely it. There is a short passage in Graduation ceremonies, 'Chancellor, by joint-mandate of the University Council and Senate, I admit to you...' but the position is honorary and not executive. There is a position of 'Pro-Chancellor' (usually the Chair of Council) which has more of a leadership function but this will differ.
