My views on the BBC crisis

Hi again folks. I know it's been a while since my last post but I've just been super busy with other things.

I decided that because I am currently a trainee journalist I should really address the crisis that is the BBC. I personally have always loved the BBC. I find that the journalists are well informed and the stories are thoroughly interesting. The BBC are a well respected broadcasting corporation..or are they? Questions have been raised over the past few months whether the BBC truly are the 'good guys' that we once perceived them to be. From the Jimmy Saville scandal to the child abuse allegations in a children's care home in North Wales, lets just say it hasn't been a good few months for the BBC.

I would just like to firstly state that I find the whole scenario with Jimmy Saville and the allegations of child abuse absolutely disgusting. I could not believe that those who were trusted and well respected in the BBC kept these allegations and claims under wraps. These are serious allegations and should have been brought to light as soon as possible. This was the first big blow for the BBC as the public questioned whether the BBC could be trusted. It also didn't help that they decided to cut the Newsnight programme about the allegations made against Jimmy Saville. This did not go down well with me as I feel that the BBC as a well-respected broadcasting corporation have the responsibility to report on stories of the up most importance such as the Jimmy Saville scandal. However in this case, the BBC decided not to, possibly trying to save their own backsides?

George Entwistle says BBC has made mistakes during saga and that

'it will take time before we can hope to regain trust'

Boy is he right!! I'm not going to go into full detail about the on-going case, so if you would like to read more about the Jimmy Saville allegations click this link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/nov/09/jimmy-savile-scandal-trust-bbc

Another blow to the BBC was the episode of Newsnight discussing the topic of child abuse in North Wales children's care homes. Although the BBC directly did not accuse Lord McAlpine of child abuse the Newsnight report led to a flood of accusations about him online. The fact that the BBC did not call Lord McAlpine and question him over these allegations is just in my opinion, poor journalism in every way. They should have at least gave the man a chance to defend himself. In a live interview several days after Newsnight's abuse report, ITV presenter Phillip Schofield handed the prime minister a list of names he said were being mentioned online as alleged paedophiles. I find it truly hard to believe that Mr Schofield would feel that this was a good thing to do. Mr McAlpine has now settled a claim with the BBC and will also seek a larger payout from ITV than the £185,000 he received over his libel claim against the BBC

Although even through this all I do condemn the BBC's way of handling these issues. Even though these are serious issues regarding the reliability and trust of the BBC. They BBC are still keen to report on their own problems there own corporation are fixed with. I particularly like the interview that BBC's director general, George Entwistle did for the Today Show on BBC Radio 4. The fact that Mr Entwistle knew he had done wrong and that he let one of his own employees absolutely crush him in the interview shows that the BBC do not condemn what they did and honestly feel that they should face the consequences for what they have done.

In conclusion to this, whether we like it or not..BBC are still going to survive. This is just a little bump in the road for them.

Hope you's dont mind this more serious blog this week. I just felt as a journalist myself I needed to comment on it. I'll make up for it by posting a beauty or fashion blog later in the week. Till next time..


Gem