Prime minister calls harassment of BBC journalist Nick Watt ‘disgraceful’ June 15, 2021 Footage posted on social media showed anti-lockdown protesters verbally abusing and chasing Nick Watt, the political editor of BBC Newsnight, near Downing Street on Monday. On Twitter, the prime minister said: “Disgraceful to see the hounding of Nick Watt doing his job.” “The media must be able to report the facts without fear or favour – [...]
Internal BBC review clears broadcaster over rehiring of Martin Bashir June 14, 2021 A hasty internal investigation carried out by the BBC has cleared the broadcaster over the rehiring of reporter Martin Bashir in 2016, but highlighted “shortcomings” in the process. An inquiry into Bashir’s appointment as religious affairs correspondent found there was no evidence he was hired to cover events surrounding his notorious 1995 interview with Princess [...]
UK to roll out new TV streaming rules in boost for broadcasters June 14, 2021 The government is said to be preparing new rules that would force tech firms such as Amazon and Samsung to give greater prominence to public broadcasters. Legislation being finalised by Whitehall officials will guarantee that public service broadcasters (PSB) such as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 are easy to access on smart TVs, the [...]
MPs to grill former BBC chiefs over Bashir’s Diana interview June 10, 2021 MPs will next week grill two former director generals of the BBC in the wake of a scandal over Martin Bashir’s interview with Princess Diana. Lord Hall and Lord Birt will be hauled in front of the culture select committee on 15 June to answer questions about the events leading up to the explosive 1995 [...]
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? June 2, 2021 City A.M.‘s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every Wednesday afternoon. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. Brown Advisory expands London office with senior hires Investment management firm Brown Advisory has bolstered its London office this week with two senior hires as its collection of assets hits $15bn. [...]
Ofcom calls for BBC to take on ‘independent’ expertise as part of editorial review May 24, 2021 Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has tonight written to the BBC urging it to take on independent advice from broadcasting experts as part of its review of its editorial policies and governance following the Martin Bashir scandal. The broadcaster today announced that it would carry out the review to make sure the scandal could “never happen again”. [...]
BBC to review editorial policies after Diana interview scandal May 24, 2021 The BBC will carry out a review into its editorial policies and governance in the wake of a scandal over reporter Martin Bashir’s interview with Princess Diana. A report into the interview published last week found the broadcaster had covered up the “deceitful” tactics used by Bashir in securing the explosive 1995 sit-down. It blasted [...]
Lord Hall resigns as chair of National Gallery after Martin Bashir scandal May 22, 2021 The former director-general of the BBC has today resigned as chairman of the National Gallery after being excoriated in the recent report into Panorama’s Princess Diana interview. Lord Hall, who was head of news at the time of the interview in 1995, was found in the report to have conducted a “woefully ineffective” investigation into [...]
Saturday Sitdown: Public media played key role during Covid, says STV boss May 22, 2021 The UK’s public service broadcasters played a vital role during the Covid-19 pandemic and should be protected, the chief executive of STV has said. In an interview with City A.M., Simon Pitts threw his weight behind traditional TV channels, insisting they were still relevant despite the rise of streaming heavyweights such as Netflix. “I don’t [...]
Jeremy Paxman diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease May 21, 2021 Legendary broadcaster Jeremy Paxman has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The 71-year-old journalist and University Challenge presenter said he had been receiving “excellent treatment” and that his symptoms were “currently mild”. “I can confirm I have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I am receiving excellent treatment and my symptoms are currently [...]