Tag: Culture Media and Sport Committee

BBC director general Tim Davie and News Chief Deborah Turness resign

PANORAMA’s TRUMP VIDEO EDIT IS FINAL STRAW

The beleaguered BBC faces a growing crisis this morning following the resignation of two senior figures. BBC Director-General Tim Davie announced his intention to leave the BBC last night and he was followed by CEO of BBC News Deborah Turness, who has also resigned.

The resignations following the revelation of another ‘mistake’ at the BBC.

This time, the Telegraph newspaper exposed editing of a Donald Trump speech for a Panorama programme had spliced two parts of a speech together, making it appear that Trump was explicitly encouraging the Capitol Hill riots of January 2021.

The edit is clearly misleading but the BBC’s failure to act on the revelation quickly enough calls into question the broadcaster’s already damaged reputation for honesty, impartiality and integrity. Without trust, a Public Service Broadcaster has nothing.

BBC Chairman Samir Shah said: “This is a sad day for the BBC. Tim has been an outstanding Director-General for the last five years. He has propelled the BBC forward with determination, single-mindedness and foresight.

“He has had the full support of me and the Board throughout. However, I understand the continued pressure on him, personally and professionally, which has led him to take this decision today. The whole Board respects the decision and the reasons for it.

“Tim has given 20 years of his life to the BBC. He is a devoted and inspirational leader and an absolute believer in the BBC and public service broadcasting. He has achieved a great deal. Foremost, under his tenure, the transformation of the BBC to meet the challenges in a world of unprecedented change and competition is well underway.

“Personally, I will miss his stamina, good humour and resilience and I will miss working with him. I wish him and his family the very best for the future.

“This is an important time for the Corporation and the Board and I will continue to work with Tim in the interim while we conduct the process to appoint his successor.”

Tim Davie sent the following note to staff yesterday:

‘I wanted to let you know that I have decided to leave the BBC after 20 years. This is entirely my decision, and I remain very thankful to the Chair and Board for their unswerving and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure, including during recent days.

‘I am working through exact timings with the Board to allow for an orderly transition to a successor over the coming months.

‘I have been reflecting on the very intense personal and professional demands of managing this role over many years in these febrile times, combined with the fact that I want to give a successor time to help shape the Charter plans they will be delivering.

‘In these increasingly polarised times, the BBC is of unique value and speaks to the very best of us. It helps make the UK a special place; overwhelmingly kind, tolerant and curious.

‘Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable. While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision.

‘Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility.

‘Our organisation is a critical ingredient of a healthy society, as well as a thriving creative sector. We should champion it, not weaponise it.

‘Despite a hugely competitive market, I am proud that the BBC remains the most trusted news brand globally. We have continued to ensure that it is used by almost everyone in the UK as well as hundreds of millions of people globally.

‘Despite the inevitable issues and challenges, our journalism and quality content continues to be admired as a gold standard. Our transition to a digital organisation has been deeply impressive, and our thriving commercial businesses are admired globally. Also, our work together on ensuring that we have the right culture has been important and motivating. I could not be more impressed by what you are achieving.

You will ask why now, why this moment?

‘I am BBC through and through, having spent the last 20 years of my life working for this organisation as Director of Marketing, Communications and Audiences, Director of Audio and Music, acting Director-General and Chief Executive of BBC Studios.

‘I care deeply about it and want it to succeed. That is why I want to create the best conditions and space for a new DG to come in and positively shape the next Royal Charter. I hope that as we move forward, a sensible, calm and rational public conversation can take place about the next chapter of the BBC.

‘This timing allows a new DG to help shape the next Charter. I believe we are in a strong position to deliver growth.

‘Thank you again, it has been a wonderful ride, which I have loved. I count myself very lucky to have served as DG no.17. I will have a proper chance to see many of you before I go but I have been incredibly proud to lead the BBC as DG for over five years. It is a precious UK institution and you are a world-class team. Thank you all for the tireless support and friendship.

‘I will always be a passionate cheerleader for civilised society, a strong BBC and a thriving UK.’

Best wishes,

Tim

In a message to BBC colleagues last night, CEO of News Deborah Turness said:

Dear all,

I have never been more proud of the work that you do every day. You really are the best of the best.

I have taken the difficult decision that it will no longer be my role to lead you in the collective vision that we all have: to pursue the truth with no agenda.

The ongoing controversy around the Panorama on President Trump has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC – an institution that I love.

As the CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the buck stops with me – and I took the decision to offer my resignation to the Director-General last night.

In public life leaders need to be fully accountable, and that is why I am stepping down. While mistakes have been made, I want to be absolutely clear recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong.

In a polarised world, BBC News journalism is more vital than ever, and I could not be prouder of the work that you do. Together we have bucked the global trend, to grow trust in BBC News, and I want to thank you, wherever you are in the world, for your courageous work to deliver that.

My plea to you: please keep the courage to continue our mission. I’m only sorry that I won’t be there to lead and champion your brilliant journalism.

It has been a great privilege to work with you all.

I will now work with Tim to plan an orderly handover to ensure that my decision to step away causes the least disruption possible to the important work that you do.

With very best wishes,

Deborah

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I want to thank Tim Davie for his service to public broadcasting over many years. He has led the BBC through a period of significant change and helped the organisation to grip the challenges it has faced in recent years.

“The BBC is one of our most important national institutions. Every day, it tells the story of who we are – the people, places and communities that make up life across the UK.

“Now more than ever, the need for trusted news and high quality programming is essential to our democratic and cultural life, and our place in the world.

“As a government, we will support the Board as it manages this transition and ensure that the Charter Review is the catalyst that helps the BBC to adapt to this new era and secures its role at the heart of national life for decades to come.”

Commenting on the resignation of BBC Director-General Tim Davie, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee Dame Caroline Dinenage MP said: “The decision by Tim Davie to step down is regrettable given the huge commitment to the BBC and public service broadcasting he has demonstrated during his time at the helm, but restoring trust in the corporation must come first.  

“The BBC Board must now begin the long process of rebuilding the corporation’s reputation both at home and abroad, after the damage caused by what has become a seemingly constant stream of crises and missteps.

“The Committee will be meeting on Tuesday to consider the BBC Chair’s response to our letter and next steps.

“At the same time the Government should bring forward the Charter Review process so the public and Parliament can help shape the future direction of the BBC.”

The Committee wrote to BBC Chair Samir Shah on Tuesday asking what action is being taken over concerns raised by a former adviser to the corporation’s editorial standards body, Michael Prescott.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: “It’s right that Tim Davie and Deborah Turness have finally taken responsibility and resigned from the BBC. But let’s be honest, this has been a catalogue of serious failures that runs far deeper.

“The Prescott report exposed institutional bias that cannot be swept away with two resignations – strong action must be taken on all the issues it raised.

“The culture at the BBC has not yet changed. BBC Arabic must be brought under urgent control. The BBC’s US and Middle East coverage needs a full overhaul. And on basic matters of biology, the corporation can no longer allow its output to be shaped by a cabal of ideological activists.

“The new leadership must now deliver genuine reform of the culture of the BBC, top to bottom – because it should not expect the public to keep funding it through a compulsory licence fee unless it can finally demonstrate true impartiality.”

The Liberal Democrats tweeted: ‘A free, independent BBC is vital to a free, informed democracy. Don’t let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain’.

Josh Wheeler, Founder of Be Broadcast, commented: “From a communications perspective, this is one of the most significant media moments in years.

“It is uncomfortable to see one political figure trigger such disruption across major media institutions. That should not happen, but it shows how fragile trust in journalism has become and how quickly perception can define reality.

“Perception is now reality – so even a question mark is enough to close people’s minds.

“What stands out is the speed of the BBC’s response. This is not a corporation hiding behind bureaucracy; it is one taking decisive action to protect its reputation before the damage hardens. It is strategic crisis management.

“Do I believe Tim Davie and Deborah Turness needed to go? Probably not. But by acting early, the BBC is showing it understands how modern reputations work. The court of public opinion moves faster than any internal inquiry, and being the antidote before the venom sets in is sometimes the only way to preserve credibility.

“If the leaked memo encouraged the merging of the Trump clips, that strikes at the core of editorial integrity. Accuracy, intent, and transparency are the foundations of trust. Once those are blurred, the entire communications framework begins to crack.

“All of this is happening during a Charter Review, when every BBC decision is under a microscope. In that context, this level of accountability sends a powerful signal. It shows that the BBC still understands leadership is as much about perception as process.

“There is also a wider lesson here for those in public life. Politicians, in particular, would do well to mirror the same “buck stops with me” principle shown by Davie and Turness. Accountability is not just good ethics; it is good communication.

“What happens next will decide whether this becomes a reputational reset or a reputational scar. The BBC must now focus on transparency and openness. It needs to show how it will strengthen editorial safeguards, rebuild confidence, and reaffirm its role as a trusted, independent broadcaster.

“The BBC’s strength has always been its willingness to face uncomfortable truths. This may be one of those moments where doing so, however painful, proves exactly why it still matters.”

MPs to investigate children’s TV and video content

A new inquiry will explore the provision of children’s TV and video content in the UK and what can be done to ensure future generations continue to have access to high-quality British-made programming. 

Research from Ofcom shows a structural shift in the viewing habits of young people, with television viewing by children dropping and YouTube now the most used app or site by children of all ages, with 88% of 3 to 17-year-olds using it last year.

The changing ways in which audience consume TV and video, has made it more challenging for public service broadcasters to make original TV content for children and for it to be found. This has a knock-on effect for those in our creative industries who want to make quality UK TV and video for children.  

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee inquiry will therefore examine how to ensure those making original high-quality content can continue and how it can be made easier to find it online. 

It will also explore issues relating to parental control of online content, the potential positive and negative effects of how children watch TV and video content on their health and development, and wider issues relating to the sector’s contribution to the economy and its importance to the UK’s cultural identity. 

Chair of the CMS Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, said: “Children’s viewing habits have come a long way, but whether they watch through a smart TV or a tablet, there is still demand for good quality TV and video for children.

“We all want young people to have access to a range of programming, so in addition to cartoons, they also see drama and factual programmes. We want them to be able to be educated and inspired, as well as entertained. 

“Changes to the media landscape, particularly the shift in viewing to YouTube, pose huge challenges for the future of children’s programming and the continued production of original content by our public service broadcasters.

“We want to know what prominence means for programmes made for children in the future world of smart TVs, streaming, video sharing platforms and endless choice.   

“We have a proud history of high-quality children’s television in the UK. Our inquiry will be showcasing the contribution the sector makes to both our culture and economy and how we can best ensure that content designed for children in all its forms continues to both educate and entertain.”

Terms of reference 

The Committee is inviting written submissions in response to the following questions: 

Children’s TV and video content in the UK 

  1. Who is commissioning and making original, high-quality, TV and video content for children and young audiences in the UK?
    1.  How can they be best supported to continue to make more?
  2. How does the range of content and genres for children vary between that provided by public service media, subscription channels, and both short- and long-form video sharing platforms?
    1. Which audiences, by age or other characteristic, are currently being underserved?
    2.  How can we increase the amount of news and factual programming made for children on TV and online?

Finding children’s TV and video content online 

  1. How can it be made easier to find original, high-quality, TV and video content for children online?
    •  How can the attribution of public service children’s content on video sharing platforms be improved?
  2. How effective are the tools available for parents to control what children are watching on public service media, subscription channels, video sharing platforms? 

Health and child development 

  1. What evidence is there that the TV and video content that children watch, and how they watch it, can contribute:
    • Positively to their health, learning and development?
    •  Negatively to their health, learning and development?

Wider benefits of children’s TV 

  1. How does children’s TV made in the UK contribute to:
    • The UK’s culture and identity?
    • Our cultural and economic exports?

‘Grassroots music venues are in crisis’

A new levy on arena and stadium tickets and a cut in VAT are urgently needed to support grassroots music venues across the country as they struggle to cope with a crisis of closures and soaring costs, says a Westminster committee.

The recommendations are in a report from the cross-party Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which highlights how small local venues integral to the pipeline of professional creative and technical music talent are stopping performances or closing entirely at a rate of two per week.

The Committee also heard about how artists are facing a “cost of touring crisis”, while promoters are struggling to get shows off their spreadsheets and into venues.

On top of immediate financial help through a levy-funded support fund and a targeted temporary VAT cut to help stem the tide of closures, the report says a comprehensive fan-led review of live and electronic music should be set up this summer to examine the long-term challenges to the wider live music ecosystem.

The Committee inquiry, launched at the Music Venue Trust’s Venues Day in October 2023, heard from across the sector1 of the scale of the crisis facing venues and the impact this is having on artists and all those that rely on them for business.

The MVT described 2023 as the most challenging year for the sector since the trust was founded in 2014, while Creative UK said the grassroots music sector took a ‘battering’.

In total the number of GMVs declined from 960 to 835 last year, a net decrease of 13%, representing a loss of as many as 30,000 shows and 4,000 jobs.

The report says that given the urgency of the crisis, a voluntary levy on arena and stadium concert tickets would be the most feasible way to have an immediate impact, creating a support fund for venues, artists and promoters administered by a trust led by a sector umbrella body.

The Committee also calls for the industry to ensure the levy cost is not passed on to music fans. If there is no agreement by September or if it fails to collect enough income to support the sector, the Government should step in an introduce a statutory levy, the report adds.

On VAT relief, the Committee calls for a temporary cut based on venue capacity, with the Government undertaking analysis to assess the impact to inform future decisions.

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said: “We are grateful to the many dedicated local venues who gave up their time to take part in our inquiry. They delivered the message loud and clear that grassroots music venues are in crisis.

“The ongoing wave of closures is not just a disaster for music, performers and supporters in local communities up and down the country, but also puts at risk the entire live music ecosystem. If the grassroots, where musicians, technicians, tour managers and promoters hone their craft, are allowed to wither and die, the UK’s position as a music powerhouse faces a bleak future.

“To stem the overwhelming ongoing tide of closures, we urgently need a levy on arena and stadium concert tickets to fund financial support for the sector, alongside a VAT cut to help get more shows into venues.

“While the current focus is on the many grassroots music venues falling silent, those working in the live music sector across the board are also under extraordinary strain. It is time that the Government brought together everyone with a stake in the industry’s success, including music fans, to address the long-term challenges and ensure live music can thrive into the future.”

Among the report’s other recommendations are for the Government and Arts Council to make it easier for the live music sector to apply for public funding and for stakeholders across the industry to continue to support the Featured Artists’ Coalition’s campaign to end punitive fees on artists’ merchandise.

Further information:

New unauthorised entry offence and police collaboration needed to boost sport fan safety, say MPs

The creation of a new criminal offence of unauthorised entry to a football match and bolstering collaboration between UK and overseas police are among recommendations from MPs on how to improve safety at sporting events at both home and abroad.

Today’s report from the Culture Media and Sport Committee comes after its inquiry examining safety spectator issues following the disorder at Wembley at the Euro 2020 final and the chaotic scenes faced by Liverpool supporters caused by police failings at the Champions League final in Paris last year.

In a week when hundreds of thousands of fans will be attending football and other big sports fixtures, the Committee concludes that while sporting bodies have learned lessons from past disasters and improved stadiums and policing, sporting events are still not environments that ensure all fans are able to attend.

The disorder at Wembley in 2021 included instances of people without tickets attempting to enter the stadium using fakes, tailgating or through force. Warning that the lack of a distinct criminal penalty is allowing the practice to continue seemingly unchallenged, the Committee backs the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill introduced by committee member Kevin Brennan MP and urges the Government to ensure the legislation is passed.

The Bill would create an offence of unauthorised entry at football matches and allow a football banning order to be imposed on conviction.

The report also calls for the expansion of safe standing trials, for police and clubs to take the use of Class A drugs at sporting events more seriously, steps to monitor and tackle anti-social behaviour and discrimination and for measures to ensure stadiums are accessible for all.

On protecting fans abroad, the Committee describes as ‘disgraceful’ the treatment of Liverpool fans by French authorities at the 2022 Champions League final, with their approach worsened by attempts to blame Reds supporters.

Evidence received by the Committee suggests that the attitude of foreign police forces to British fans heavily contributed to the chaos. The report therefore recommends that the Government works with overseas counterparts to bolster the role of British police travelling with fans and their collaboration with local forces.

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the CMS Committee, said: “Fans flocking to festive fixtures at this time of year should be able to enjoy time with family and friends in sports grounds that are secure, inclusive and welcoming environments.

“Sadly, the rise in disorder at football post-pandemic and near disasters that occurred at Wembley and in Paris have shown there is much to be done to ensure a safe time for all. The Government, police, clubs and governing bodies all have a role to play.

“Tailgating and other forms of unauthorised entry into grounds are an increasing problem at high-profile matches putting safety at risk from overcrowding. Those involved should know that they will face consequences and the Government should back legislation to ensure they can be banned.

“At big games in Europe, too often the attitude of foreign police to British fans leads to unacceptable treatment of innocent supporters. The Government needs to work with overseas counterparts to bolster the role of British police travelling with teams and collaboration with local forces.”

Main conclusions and recommendations

Protecting fans abroad

  • The treatment of Liverpool fans by French authorities at the 2022 Champions League final was disgraceful and worsened by attempts of the authorities and UEFA to blame the supporters. The attitude of foreign police forces to UK football fans heavily contributed to the chaos.
  • The Government should work to foster improved relationships with other governments on policing sporting events in order to bolster the role of British police travelling with UK teams and their collaboration with local forces.

Policing

  • The unauthorised entry of ticketless individuals at football matches creates a risk to their safety and the safety of legitimate, paying fans. While such acts are likely already illegal, the lack of a distinct criminal penalty that includes the use of the proven deterrent of Football Banning Orders, is allowing this practice to continue seemingly unchallenged.
  • The Committee welcomes the introduction of the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill and calls on the Government to ensure its passage into law during this session of Parliament.
  • Sporting bodies should increase their financial contribution to the safety of fans outside of the stadium.
  • The Government should work with police and sporting bodies to introduce a centralised system to report and record discrimination and antisocial behaviour at sporting events.

Alcohol and drug use at sporting events

  • The evidence available on the impact of alcohol on disorder at football matches does not provide a compelling case either for the status quo or for a significant relaxation of the current legislation.
  • The Government’s review of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985, alongside a responsible alcohol sale pilot scheme, provides an opportunity for comprehensive evidence gathering.
  • The Government should consult with other sporting bodies and also ensure that the alcohol sale pilots are undertaken alongside the Committee’s recommended improved reporting of hate crime and antisocial behaviour to ensure the impacts are fully understood before any further decisions are taken.
  • The increasing use of Class A drugs at sporting events is something that police and clubs should both be taking more seriously. It is unclear whether the use of Football Banning Orders for Class A drugs provides an adequate deterrent.
  • Further work is needed by the police to understand the prevalence of drug supply and possession.

Stewarding

  • Stewards should not be seen merely as volunteers or fans who get to see the game for free. They are crucial to the safety of all sporting events and their responsibilities have grown over the years. The resources available to all major UK sports should allow for the better treatment of stewards, including an appropriate wage.
  • Stewards, employers and fans would all benefit from clarity on the roles, responsibilities and standards for stewards. The Committee recommend that the Sports Ground Safety Authority should develop and publish minimum expectations for stewarding standards in consultation with all those involved in major sporting events.
  • The Government and SGSA should work with sporting bodies to establish a central training fund, with contributions from sporting leagues being tied to their revenue.

Stadium management

  • Local authorities should include a wider variety of perspectives in Safety Advisory Groups with efforts to reach demographic groups that have been previously disregarded.
  • As long as football clubs can prove that they have a comprehensive stewarding plan for safe standing and follow the licenced standing criteria from the SGSA Further safe standing pilots should be encouraged.
  • Poor stadium design raises fundamental issues around equality, diversity and inclusion that are not being fulfilled to an acceptable level by the design of spaces intended for use by fans. Being unable to accommodate women and disabled fans in an appropriate way sends the message that they are not welcome and undermines their safety, security and dignity when attending matches.
  • The SGSA should update its Green Guide with a requirement for new and redeveloped stadia to better accommodate all fans, including women and disabled people.