Reputation management

I was rather puzzled to hear BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons in a pole position on the Today programme this morning, running defensively round a range of questions that have already been answered.

The 'peg' seemed to be a Royal Television Society panel this evening, entitled "What next for the BBC", looking ahead to a post-Sir-Michael era.  The chairman is sensitive about his reputation and record, so how dangerous might this event be ?

Sir Christopher Bland,  a former BBC Chairman (of the Governors), thinks the Trust was a barmy idea.  Lord Fowler wants control of the BBC handed to Parliament ("which most nearly represents the licence-fee payers").  Chris Goodall is from media research specialists Enders Analysis, and Richard Tait is a former member of the BBC Trust.  The chair is Tim Suter, consultant, formerly of the BBC and Ofcom.  Not an asbo between them, Sir Michael.