BBC to Examine Editorial Controls And ‘Bounds’ of Decency

Editorial standards, including suitability of language, are to be re-examined at the BBC. The move follows an incident on a radio show which the BBC Trust has described as “gross breaches of the BBC’s editorial guidelines”. 

The BBC’s editorial guidelines are due for review in 2009. In a statement on November 21, the BBC Trust’s chairman , Sir Michael Lyons, said that as part of the review, the Trust “will consider the use of language and the boundaries of generally accepted standards and commission research and other work to understand audiences’ perspectives.

“Let me absolutely clear,” he continued. “There is no place on the BBC for casual and gratuitous use of the most offensive language without clear editorial justification.” 

However, he stressed that the review would be about more than language as “too much focus on expletives could overshadow other offences which – depending on context – could be even more concerning to audiences.”

The BBC came under fire earlier in November when it emerged radio presenter, Russell Brand, egged on by the highest paid BBC’s presenter, Jonathan Ross, had made inappropriate phone calls to the actor Andrew Sachs. The calls were then broadcast later on a recorded show

The public, encouraged by the news media, bombarded the BBC with complaints. Brand resigned from the BBC, along with a senior BBC radio executive, while Ross has been suspended for three months.

Sir Michael considered it too early to say whether the editorial guidelines themselves need to be revised, but warned that “a creative organisation needs to understand where the boundaries are and that they need to be properly policed. This kind of clarity generates the confidence needed to allow performers and artists to give of their best.

The BBC Trust was set up to represent viewers and to ensure “the BBC provides high quality output and good value” as well as protecting the BBC’s independence. Currently, the BBC’s income is derived from the annual licence fee paid by anyone wanting to watch TV and the sales of shows and merchandise around the world. This allows the BBC to remain free of advertising in the UK.

Much of the debate about the Brand and Ross incident has been around the fact that Brand was hired for ‘edgy’ humour and to attract a younger audience to Radio 2, traditionally targeted at the middle-aged or older generations. Opinion is divided between young and old as to whether this incident was edgy, crass stupidity or even obscene and bullying behaviour.

Sir Michael acknowledged that “creative risk-taking” is an essential part of the BBC’s remit, but said the Trust’s job was to ensure editorial standards are maintained.

“The BBC simply cannot justify receiving the licence fee if it is unwilling to take those risks. Indeed the Trust continues to argue that the BBC should take more risks with new talent, new ideas and new formats – constantly seeking to bring that something special and different to radio, television and online services. And it must continue to serve all audiences,” he said

“It is however our job to hold the whole BBC management to account and to ensure they maintain the BBC’s editorial standards, serve all audiences and achieve real value for money.

“In the end, the BBC belongs to the people who pay for it. What is most important to the Trust is that those who make their living from the BBC understand this and – through their actions – demonstrate their understanding to the public

Sir Michael said that he expected the BBC and the many performers who represent the BBC publicly “to learn the lessons of the last few weeks”.

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