Bob Prabhu, former BBC News cameraman, writes:

"Today, the 5th of July 2014 marks the 60th anniversary of the start of BBC TV News at Alexandra Palace. The first TV News program in the Black and White and in the 4:3 television screen format  was beamed across the British nation at that time, requiring a TV aerial on the roof of the house. The first news was read by Richard Baker with perfect diction and in his pristine suit and tie from Studio A at Alexandra Palace, London.

Over the years many people contributed to the becoming of the famous BBC and mostly by the BBC staff who collectively went through many trial and tribulation to get the latest and perfect output of the News with gravitas, and in turn gathering many viewers at their homes to sit collectively and watch the day's news.

Over the years the department went through many technological changes from Film to instant television; from 405 to 625 lines; from VHF to UHF band; from Black and White to colour; from analogue to digital signals; from Ceefax to BBC websites; improved television journalism, 3D graphics, reporting by mobile phones; use of internet or Wifi to transmit picture stories from locations far and wide to the newsroom, and so on. The core value, what the British people still expect from the BBC still remains high especially on major stories that spring up from time to time.

The contributions made by BBC staff day in and day out  collectively made what the BBC is today both at home and worldwide. The 50th anniversary of the BBC TV News was celebrated over two full days at Television Centre, thanks for the leadership of Richard Sambrook, Director of TV News and Current Affairs at that time and the excellent team of people who made it a memorable occasion of nostalgia and pride.

For months now I have been trying to get the BBC to mark the Diamond anniversary with a similar celebration to that of a decade ago. I wrote many emails to the present Director of TV News and Current Affairs, James Harding and even offered all help at my disposal at no cost to the BBC . Regretfully, I did not receive any reply nor even an acknowledgement of my emails to him. In the BBC I proudly served, the Management always acknowledged all correspondences received by the BBC and were well versed to writing a few polite lines in reply even if they did not appreciate or consent to any ideas brought to their attention. The new man from the print journalism, The Times (and an ex Murdoch employee) must be forgiven, perhaps for not having that expected BBC decency.

The best the BBC has come up is a chat show on Monday, 7th of July 2014 for an hour and half with none other than, John Birt for their current staff at New Broadcasting House. I wonder how many of the veterans of television world will be there. I would rather sit at home and watch the excellent World Cup Football from Brazil.