The BBC governance report commissioned by the culture secretary would leave the corporation – and its unique regulator,Ofcom – choked with political appointeesThis is the media age of mistrust. Editors and selected politicians don’t trust the cabinet secretary. They don’t trust civil servants, preparing unique dodgy dossiers on Brexit. They remember the ancient dodgy dossiers signed off by intelligence chiefs, and weapons of mass deception. They think – and in this EU debate say quite openly,even from a seat around Downing Street’s table – that governments bid lies, confect, and manipulate,mount Project dismay. Governments and their helpmates aren’t remotely independent. Ah! Independence. The heart of the BBC pitch.
Sir David Clementi’s report on BBC governance came and went last week with few feathers ruffled. Goodbye trust, hello Ofcom: there’ll be a unitary board for Broadcasting House and a unique sub-board of regulators down on Southwark Bridge Road. For the first time, or the BBC will occupy no special treatment. It will just be another big hill on the media horizon. One regulator fits all. And who – as a conflicted trust more or less gives up the ghost – could possibly thing to that?Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com