The selection process which led to the appointment of George Entwistle as the next Director General of the BBC was debated and carried out behind closed doors, with the public having no input in the decision making process. Given the influence of this paramount position, how might the process be handled differently in the future? Is the traditional role of the Director General – as creative leader, editorial boss and executive manager – still best carried out by a single individual? What of the role of selection committee? How are its members selected? What are the potential alternatives to a centralised model?

Programming too is determined by these debates, and the question of what we mean by ‘public interest’ regarding the BBC’s content is one that needs closer scrutiny than ever. The received image of Radio 4 as ‘an old boys club’ is pertinent to many, while the specialist broadcasting that has long been lauded as the institution’s great strength frequently fails to employ, engage and appeal to its diverse audience.

As the UK’s media is increasingly transformed by blogs and citizen journalism, ourBeeb asks how the BBC can respond in turn, as a means of innovating, engaging and establishing democratic credibility.

Truth and the BBC

The BBC was profoundly damaged by the Blair government's successful attack upon it over Iraq. Since then its senior managers have regarded truth as something to be handled not investigated. Could this loss of integrity underly its recent disasters?

Three things to bear in mind about Jimmy Savile and one about the BBC

The only way the BBC can adequately address the crisis it is mired in is to heed ourBeeb's calls to transform itself into an institution that belongs and is accountable to the public who trust, admire and pay for it.

Savile, the perfect storm

A candid and compelling piece from Jean Seaton, the official historian of the BBC, on why the Savile affair is the perfect storm for the Corporation.

Governance and accountability at the BBC: the lessons from the Savile affair

The Jimmy Savile scandal has illuminated deep cracks in the BBC’s governance. A culture of immunity and blame shifting must now be faced head on for the sake of the victims and the future of the corporation. 

The BBC: above reproach, or beyond reach?

How well do the BBC's publicly stated methods of accountability stand up? They were recently outlined by the BBC Trust here on ourBeeb; Dan Hind delves beneath the rhetoric and finds a consistent lack of clarity and openness.

Savile-gate: George Entwistle's first big test

The BBC’s decision to broadcast two tributes to Jimmy Savile while shelving a Newsnight investigation into allegations of sexual offences was a serious error of judgement. George Entwistle must now deploy the broadcaster’s considerable resources to establish what really happened and face up to his own culpability. 

Time to elect the BBC Trust?

In the wake of the ourBeeb NHS report, how do we create accountability in the BBC? Few licence fee payers know about or understand the audience councils or the role of the BBC Trust - is it time to end government appointments and have BBC elections?

The BBC and the NHS Act: the fall-out, and a response from the Beeb

Oliver Huitson's landmark investigation of the BBC's coverage of the Health and Social Care Bill for ourBeeb saw a phenomenal response. Now the BBC responds to the report - but is their defence good enough?

From service reviews to audience councils: how accountable is the BBC Trust?

Against a common accusation that the BBC is unaccountable, Diane Coyle, Vice-Chairman of the BBC Trust, explains the mechanisms that are in place to register feedback and stimulate public conversation. But how effective are these procedures? 

Editor's blog: £3m for Clarkson, £42m for CBeebies - how the BBC spends its money

There are some fascinating insights into how much each BBC channel costs, and how they're paid for, in the Annual Report. But should we be so obsessed with cost in public service broadcasting to begin with?

Life after Leveson: teaching Auntie how to suck eggs

Leveson has illuminated deep democratic problems at the heart of the British media. Far from immune to this culture, the BBC needs to learn from the inquiry and actively assert its independence. 

Editor's blog: "we want to hear your views" - focus groups, feedback and the BBC

We publish the response to a recently filed ourBeeb Freedom of Information request on the BBC's little-known Audience Councils and its other feedback mechanisms. Are these focus groups and 'market research' surveys sufficient? If not, how might they be improved?

ourBeeb podcast 1: Claire Enders, Britain's leading media analyst

The first audio highlights of an ourBeeb discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing the BBC, featuring the CEO of Enders Analysis.

The BBC and the future of broadcasting: special report from Enders Analysis

The first report from a scintillating ourBeeb discussion with Claire Enders, Britain's leading media analyst, finds the BBC at a digital crossroads, but holding up remarkably well.

A Freedom of Information request, the BBC, and the case for subscription

The BBC’s paternalistic conflation of the license fee with universalism is increasingly indefensible against competing examples of public service programming. While the organisation is tight-lipped about the future of its funding model this information must be made available to those who currently foot the bill. 

This week's editor

Heather McRobie


Niki Seth-Smith is a freelance journalist and co-editor of OurKingdom.

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