Broadcast News

Bookmark and Share
29/01/2004

Davies resigns, but expresses concern over Hutton

In the aftermath of The Hutton Report, which roundly condemned BBC editorial procedures and the corporation's governance, the BBC Chairman of Governors Gavyn Davies has resigned.
Mr Davies accepted that as the chief authority of the corporation ultimate responsibility for its actions lay with him, but also expressed his concerns with the report’s conclusions and its implications for the BBC and independent journalism in Britain.
He questioned whether it was possible to reconcile Lord Hutton's “bald conclusions” on the production of the September 2002 dossier with the balance of evidence that was presented to him during the inquiry, and whether he had taken sufficient account of what was said by Dr David Kelly on tape to the Newsnight reporter Susan Watts, much of which corroborated Andrew Gilligan’s reports.
Though he expressed regret that the Governors had not ordered a special investigation as soon as the controversy began, Mr Davies pointed out that any such investigation would have been inconclusive without access to the successive drafts of the September 2002 dossier. He welcomed Lord Hutton’s recognition that an “intemperate attack” by the then Downing Street Director of Communications Alistair Campbell, along with near-constant and unprecedented public criticism from the Government over the corporation’s coverage of the war in Iraq, had “undoubtedly scrambled radar screens at the top of the BBC.”
More seriously, Mr Davies questioned whether Lord Hutton’s conclusions on "restricting the use of unverifiable sources in British journalism" were "based on sound law," and suggested that that their application would constitute a "threat to the freedom of the British press".
This view was supported by National Union of Journalists General Secretary Jeremy Dear, who condemned Lord Hutton’s report as “selective, grossly one-sided and a serious threat to the future of investigative journalism.”
Mr Dear called upon the BBC Governors to “stand firm, defend their reporter [Mr Gilligan] and the essential truth of their story.” Mr Dear also warned that if Mr Gilligan was sacked or disciplined the NUJ would take “whatever action is necessary” to defend its member.
Mr Davies said that to be Chairman of “the finest entity in world broadcasting” was “the greatest privilege of my professional life.”
He heaped praise upon the corporation’s “thousands of programme makers instilled with the values of public service,” and insisted that they must let themselves feel no shame about the Hutton Report, maintaining that no-one at the BBC had deliberately misled the public, and no-one had acted out of malign motivation.
He defended the BBC’s unique position in British life, noting that it is not owned by any government, but “is held in perpetuity by its Governors and management for the British people.”
In a stark warning, he appealed to the public not take the BBC’s existence for granted, as it is “frequently under attack, both from competitors and from others who do not share or understand its principles. Its friends are too often silent when it is under threat.”
He continued: “In the Charter debate now underway, the massive silent majority which loves the BBC needs more often to make its voice heard. Otherwise its future may not be secure."
He warned that if the BBC’s political independence and licence fee funding, its “twin pillars,” were undermined, the whole edifice could come tumbling down.
(GB)
Solidmate Ltd Memory Card Hire London

Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.

13/04/2016
Production News : Nominations Announced For RTS Scotland Awards 2016
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for this year's RTS Scotland Awards 2016. The awards cover all forms of production in
06/02/2018
Nominations For RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018 Announced
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Gues
02/10/2015
RTS North West Announce Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the shortlist for its annual awards at an event hosted by CBBC presenter Lauren Lay
11/04/2017
RTS Announce Scotland Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Scotland Awards 2017. The awards cover all forms of production in Scotlan
04/11/2014
Production News - RTS Announces Craft & Design Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the shortlist for the RTS Craft & Design Awards 2013/2014. The winners will be announced at a ceremon
29/09/2017
RTS Announces Nominations For North West Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the nominations for its annual awards, at an event sponsored by Audio Network. Cat
21/05/2015
RTS Announces Winners Of Scotland Awards 2014
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the winners of the RTS Scotland Awards 2014. Chaired by April Chamberlain, the awards cover all forms
22/02/2006
BBC and UK Film Council announce new film partnership
The BBC and the UK Film Council - two of the biggest stakeholders in British film - have joined forces to put film and broadcasting at the centre of a
08/06/2023
BBC Appoints Kerensa Samandis As General Manager For BBC iPlayer
The BBC has appointed Kerensa Samanidis as General Manager for BBC iPlayer. Kerensa joins from Channel 4 and will start the new role on 19 June. Repor
18/11/2014
Winners Announced For RTS North West Centre Awards
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the winners of its annual awards on 15 November at the Hilton, Manchester. The even
24/05/2002
BBC's business-to-business broadband capability launched
BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s main commercial arm, have launched BBC Preview – the first business-to-business broadband application that allows internation
21/04/2023
Blue Lights To Return For A Second Series
The BBC has announced that Belfast-based drama Blue Lights produced by Two Cities Television will return for a second 6 x 60’ series. Directed by Gill
29/01/2016
RTS Announces Television Journalism Awards 2016
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2016.   The awards, for news and current aff
23/03/2016
Winners Announced For RTS Programme Awards 2016
The winners of this year's Royal Television Society (RTS) Programme Awards 2016, in partnership with Audio Network, have been announced at a ceremony
04/03/2016
Production News : RTS Programme Awards Nominees Unveiled
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has revealed the nominations for the RTS Programme Awards 2016, in partnership with Audio Network. The RTS Programm