Review of the Year 2006/2007

Welcome

As I write this, our friend and colleague Alan Johnston remains missing in Gaza. Perhaps by the time you read it, the situation will have changed. For now though,Alan’s family and those who know him at the BBC are trapped in a suspended state of anxiety and uncertainty.

In photos and on camera – unsurprisingly given the stories he covers – Alan has a serious look, the very picture of a formidable BBC foreign correspondent. Off camera he has a different side – fiercely intelligent and engaged in the debate, but with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

Digital technology is changing broadcasting beyond recognition. But the BBC’s future depends less on technology than on the trust of our audiences and the courage, conviction and integrity of our colleagues. These qualities matter in everything we do, but nowhere more than in our journalism. In Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza and in many other countries and regions, BBC journalists remain when other news organisations have left.They know that agency copy and pictures – no matter how good – are no substitute for the immediacy, integrity, accuracy and human empathy of eyewitness reportage.

We take the safety of our journalists and everyone else who works for and with the BBC, incredibly seriously.We also have to recognise there are assignments and vital stories to report that can never be made risk-free.

It has been a momentous year for the BBC in other ways – a strong new Charter, a challenging licence fee settlement and Creative Future, our vision of what the BBC could become if it achieves its full creative potential in the new digital environment.

With The Street, Life On Mars and How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? it was a fine year for TV drama and entertainment, while Planet Earth combined extraordinary technical innovation with awe-inspiring artistry.Two years ago, perception of quality was a significant concern for the BBC Governors; in 2006/2007, many of the key measures in this area went up. BBC Radio proved it’s possible to grow audiences while strengthening a reputation for creativity and excellence. Our online and interactive services broke one record after another.

But there were bumps along the way as well.The editorial mistakes on Blue Peter and Saturday Kitchen were so serious because, despite being unintentional, they went right to the heart of our contract with our audiences – a contract based on trust.We are taking every step we can to minimise the chances of such mistakes happening again.

Behind the scenes, BBC Worldwide delivered triple the profits of three years ago back to the public services.The transformation of the BBC gathered pace, releasing money and resources for new investment but without audiences reporting any loss of quality in existing services.

Our present task is to develop detailed plans for the future which we can place before the new BBC Trust. Some – like the BBC iPlayer and high definition television – will rely on new digital technologies. But we know that success for the BBC ultimately depends not on technology but on the creativity and professionalism of our people. As the public have always known, they are our most precious resource.

Which is why the story of Alan Johnston matters so much.

Mark Thompson

Director-General
12 June 2007