Enough, Nadine ?

The BBC has published its internal review into editorial processes, led by non-executive director Sir Nicholas Serota, set up to respond to Lord Dyson's findings about how poorly the BBC dealt with Martin Bashir in the aftermath of his Panorama interview with Princess Diana.  DG Tim Davie hopes it might head off plain-speaking-and-Tweeting Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries who told a fringe meeting at the Tory Party Conference about talks with the BBC: “My perspective is 'tell me how you are going to change and then you get the settlement fee' ”.

Sir Nick, Sir Robbie Gibb, and old Birtian hand Ian Hargreaves have found, spookily, exactly ten things to do that will make things better. Other old hands may say we've seen many of these before.... 

Reviews: New thematic reviews covering output in key areas of public debate to ensure due impartiality and that a breadth of voices and viewpoints are being reflected. The first will cover UK public spending and taxation. It will begin in January next year and be completed by the summer.  (This is an old chestnut of a response: see here for reviews of EU coverage, 2005, science coverage 2011, breadth of opinion, 2012, arts coverage, 2014, statistics 2016, and many more). 

Oversight: The BBC’s Editorial Policy team will be strengthened and given increased responsibility to support content makers. The BBC Executive will lead internal management content reviews to assess the extent to which content meets editorial standards. (David Jordan, running Editorial Policy since 2005, is noted for his continuing wish for additional staff; he was brought to the BBC by John Birt, as was Ian Hargreaves).

Investigations: A simple set of procedures will be published for dealing with internal investigations; with designated, experienced staff able to conduct investigations; and clarifications to the Complaints Framework on how the BBC handles accelerated editorial complaints about broadcast or published content. (Published to whom ? When ?)

Monitoring: The Board will monitor impartiality metrics including: editorial complaints; training; audience perception and demographic data; tracking actions from the 10-point plan. (What were they doing before ?)

Editorial values and culture: The BBC’s editorial values and Editorial Guidelines are a requirement of working for the BBC and a contractual commitment for all staff. It will be made clear that deliberate or negligent breaches of a serious nature, or attempts to conceal them, will result in disciplinary action or dismissal, regardless of seniority, profile, or role. The Editorial Guidelines will be more prominent and easy to use and editors and managers will be encouraged to build trust through open discussion within their teams. (As Greta Thunberg might say, blah, blah, blah)

Improved governance: The Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee – which assesses standards post-broadcast - will be strengthened with the appointment of two editorial experts with experience from outside the BBC. These appointments will be subject to the same requirements on impartiality applied to other members of the Board. (Could that be the committee led by Ian Hargreaves, featuring Robbie Gibb, and attended by David Jordan ?  Still, more jobs...)

Training: Impartiality training launched this year will be extended right through the organisation, including freelancers and new joiners – at all levels – to ensure a strong understanding of the essentials. (Wasn't it announced as 'compulsory' in the first place ?)

Transparency: New measures to improve transparency both internally and externally will be adopted, for instance sharing information at a senior level on emerging editorial trends, risks, and issues. (We love a BBC commitment to external transparency; this is a little underwhelming, Sir Nick)

Whistleblowing: A new editorial whistleblowing policy; with senior leaders nominated to deal with complaints and increased training. (Name the senior leaders, please, and describe the training)

Voices and viewpoints: Managers will be challenged to represent audiences from all parts of the UK, both on and off screen – via the Across the UK plan to diversify staff and through ongoing audience research. (Doesn't sound new to me; maybe they can snow Nadine).

Meanwhile, still no news on timing of a new licence fee settlement, with BBC chairman Sir Richard Sharp struggling to get on Nadine's wavelength.....