writes David Elstein, a respected broadcasting executive and commentator:
If fake quizzes are venial sins, loss of impartiality is – for the BBC – a mortal one. This summer, the BBC published a laudably honest independent report on impartiality, which exposed the prevalence of political correctness and “groupthink”.
It revealed how despite all the BBC’s efforts, its editorial processes were captured two years ago by the Make Poverty History lobby group, in the shape of a major drama, an episode of The Vicar Of Dibley, and a massive live concert, all promoting the same ideas.
It was only after two senior BBC executives earlier this month protested in public that a similar event relating to environmental issues – Planet Relief – was abandoned.
How can trust be restored to the BBC? Certainly not by calling in former executives to investigate, which is how the mis-edited footage of the Queen is being handled.
What is needed are wholly independent adjudicators, with a wide remit and access to email traffic.
Do read the rest.