Latest editorial
JOURNALISTS accused BBC bosses of undermining flagship news programmes yesterday by pushing through a culture of “cronyism” where jobs are doled out via “coffee with pals.”
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) — which will join media union Bectu in industrial action over pay from next Wednesday — said managers were pushing through “cultural change” by shedding 415 jobs while creating 195 posts that forced-out workers will not be able to apply for.
The accusation comes as a TV news big-hitter warned cuts were undermining the BBC’s role as a check on the corridors of power. Channel 4 correspondent Michael Crick — formerly political editor of BBC2’s Newsnight — wrote on Twitter that “crooked, corrupt & incompetent people in positions of power can rest more easily that BBC now less able to hold them to account.”
On January 2 2014, PJ Harvey used her turn as guest editor of the Today programme to expose the realities of war, arms dealing and media complicity. The fury that followed showed how rare – and how threatening – such honesty is within Britain’s most Establishment broadcaster, says IAN SINCLAIR
JAMES NALTON takes a look at the German league’s move to grow its audience in Britain, and around the future of football on TV in general
The fallout from the Kneecap and Bob Vylan performances at Glastonbury raises questions about the suitability of senior BBC management for their roles, says STEPHEN ARNELL