Professor Jean Seaton, Professor of Media History at the University of Westminster and Official Historian of the BBC, has written an article for Prospect magazine on what the future looks like for the BBC within the current media landscape.
In the article Professor Seaton highlights the importance of institutions like the BBC in the circulation of objective and “clean information”. Despite its necessity, she explains that as a result of media opposition and “savage cuts”, it is becoming exceedingly difficult for the BBC to continue.
Within the difficulties being faced, she praises investigations around the topic, focusing on former editor of The Guardian Alan Rusbridger’s forensic investigation into the impact of Dominic Cummings plan to undermine the BBC.
Looking to what can be done, she said: “You can design rules, but rules cannot always proscribe bad behaviour. Leadership, culture and behaviour are ultimately required. For now, we should demand a thorough investigation by public appointments commissioner William Shawcross (or someone else if he is conflicted). Any incoming administration must resist revenge while cleaning this mess up.”
She added: “The BBC has often been reformed and refreshed following a fine audacious report from an outsider. Well, in Rusbridger’s reporting we have the beginning of one. Now let’s act on it.”
Read the full article on the Prospect website.
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