A farewell to the BBC
- 10 June 2013
- From the section Entertainment & Arts
Torin Douglas has now retired after 24 years as the BBC's media correspondent. In this article he looks back at the changes he's seen - and reported on:
Savile inquiry: Paxman said DJ rumours 'common gossip'
- 22 February 2013
- From the section UK
Will the Pollard evidence be remembered more for what's in it or what's been cut out?
Ahead of publication, newspapers reported that Jeremy Paxman and Lord McAlpine were both upset that the full evidence was not to be revealed. But another paper said the BBC would be "engulfed" in a mountain of "deeply unedifying" material.
Read full article Savile inquiry: Paxman said DJ rumours 'common gossip'
Leveson: Press and politicians still seek solution
- 27 January 2013
- From the section Entertainment & Arts
Image copyright
PA
For months, the Leveson Inquiry dominated the news, as a succession of high-profile witnesses gave evidence - actors Hugh Grant and Sienna Miller, singer Charlotte Church; the parents of Milly Dowler and Madeleine McCann; editors, proprietors, police chiefs, politicians.
The climax came at the end of November, when Lord Justice Leveson published his 2,000-page report in the heart of Westminster. A few days later Prime Minister David Cameron summoned national newspaper editors to Downing Street, demanding urgent action.
Read full article Leveson: Press and politicians still seek solution
Leveson Report: Analysis
- 29 November 2012
- From the section Entertainment & Arts
Image copyright
AP
For editors, publishers and - not least - newspaper proprietors, this is a damning report.
Lord Justice Leveson not only recommends statutory 'underpinning' for a new independent system of press regulation - rejecting the industry's own proposal for a new body as "not going nearly far enough" to demonstrate independence from publishers.
Hall has hands full with BBC job
- 23 November 2012
- From the section Entertainment & Arts
Image copyright
Reuters
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures - and for the BBC these are extraordinary times.
That is why BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten approached Tony Hall to be the new BBC director general without going through the normal recruitment process, and why Lord Hall of Birkenhead - to give him his proper title - accepted the offer to return to the corporation, even though he'd not applied for the job earlier in the year.
BBC Newsnight: Entwistle says 'wrong' to air film
- 10 November 2012
- From the section UK
After weeks under fire for not broadcasting Newsnight's report of child abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile, the BBC has now had to apologise for a child abuse investigation it did broadcast.
This second episode is even more damaging than the first.
Read full article BBC Newsnight: Entwistle says 'wrong' to air film
Press give verdict on Entwistle evidence
- 24 October 2012
- From the section Entertainment & Arts
Image copyright
Reuters
The director general of the BBC, George Entwistle, has admitted to MPs that the reputation of the BBC has been called into question by the scandal over the revelations that Jimmy Savile sexually abused young girls.
When George Entwistle first volunteered to answer questions from the Culture Media & Sport committee about the Jimmy Savile scandal, it seemed a good idea.
Savile allegations 'will not go away'
- 9 October 2012
- From the section Entertainment & Arts
The BBC director general has apologised to the alleged victims of Sir Jimmy Savile and promised a "comprehensive investigation" once the police have completed their own inquiries.
But if George Entwistle hoped this would kick the issue into the long grass - as some have suggested - he may be out of luck.
The media and the Olympic Games
- 11 September 2012
- From the section Entertainment & Arts
Image copyright
AFP
The huge crowds packing the streets for the Olympic and Paralympic parade were the final endorsement - if any were needed - of the triumph of London 2012.
"Thanks a million" trumpeted both the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror, reflecting estimates of the size of the crowd.
How is Paralympics seen by media?
- 1 September 2012
- From the section Entertainment & Arts
Image copyright
Getty Images
The first weekend of the Paralympics is under way. But has it captured the public gaze in the same way as its sibling the Olympic Games?
"Thanks for the warm-up" proclaimed Channel 4 in a much-applauded advertising campaign, the day the Olympics ended. Its ads positioned Paralympic competitors as "superhumans", suggesting the achievements to come would be even more inspiring than those at the earlier Games.
