Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> The Hutton Inquiry http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1064350600 Message started by Forum Admin on Sep 23^rd, 2003, 8:57pm

Title: The Hutton Inquiry
Post by Forum Admin on Sep 23^rd, 2003, 8:57pm

The Hutton Inquiry has started to uncover some of the inner workings of both the BBC and Number 10 Downing Street. What should the BBC do now with Andrew Gilligan, the reporter at the centre of the affair? Vote now, or post your thoughts by clicking on "Reply" below

Title: Sir Trevor on the Hutton Inquiry
Post by Forum Admin on Dec 2^nd, 2003, 10:29am

From Financial Times, 2.12.03
Sir Trevor McDonald, chief newscaster at ITN, has issued a strong defence of the BBC's recent war coverage and warned the government not to threaten the corporation's editorial independence. Sir Trevor also voiced support for controversial BBC reports questioning government intelligence dossiers on Iraq's weapons threat.
In an interview, he said Andrew Gilligan, the BBC reporter attacked by the government for his reports on the intelligence dossiers, was right to raise the issue.
"A lot of people felt there were no weapons of mass destruction and this was a case of a reporter saying what many people believed," he added. "I think the criticism against the BBC was over the top. The BBC has to
defend its editorial standards." His comments are thought to reflect senior ITN management thinking.
The BBC is braced for criticism in Lord Hutton's report on the circumstances surrounding David Kelly's death. The government scientist committed suicide after being named as the source for BBC reports suggesting the government exaggerated the case for war.
Sir Trevor said the issue should not be used to launch a wider assault on the BBC. "They have to preserve their editorial independence. You can't have governments trying to tell you what to do. We all in this building would support the BBC on that."
His comments come as the Independent Television Commission called on broadcasters and politicians to agree on measures to rebuild public trust in news and political broadcasting.
Patricia Hodgson, chief executive of the ITC, called for reforms in the government media apparatus to distinguish between official departmental spokesmen and "the political in-fighting that is a matter for ministers and special advisers".
She also urged the government to ensure the BBC's news operation was properly funded following the forthcoming review of the corporation's 10-year royal charter. In a swipe at tabloid-style TV news, she said broadcasters should use more analysis to explain issues, rather than
relying on "just the human interest of their proponents".