Thinkers

The BBC Board met yesterday and issued a carefully-worded statement, attempting to long-grass 'Hamas' and 'Terrorism' until next yet. Here's part of their missive. 

"No one who has watched or listened to harrowing reports over the last ten days could be left in any doubt about the horror brought about by Hamas’s attack on defenceless civilians in Israel.

"As this war continues, with so many deaths of innocent civilians in both Israel and Gaza, the BBC will no doubt continue to come under scrutiny about the way in which we cover it – that is to be expected and also welcomed. The BBC is listening. We believe that our Editorial Guidelines serve us well, and continue to serve us well in difficult circumstances; we do periodically review them as a matter of course, and when we do so at our next planned review in the Spring, we will consult and debate these issues just as we always do." 

I'm with them, not rushing to change in response to playground bullying; quite brave, also, of Elan Closs Stephens, interim chair, if she really wants the job long-term.

I'd like also to hear the thoughts of Richard Ayre, former Trustee and Head of Editorial Policy; and another former BBC deep-thinker Mark Damazer. But Mark may be busy with his burgeoning presenting career, making an Analysis for his old network, R4, on 'national interest', coming on Monday.