I have always opined that if souls and heaven existed and if countries could have souls, Britain's soul would have no problem entering the kingdom of heaven on the strength of the BBC.
Now, however, with all the scandal surrounding Jimmy Savile many have begun to doubt the BBC's integrity. How could the organisation allow such depravity to continue for so long, especially since anyone with half a brain could have seen that there was something not quite kosher about Jimmy Savile? Isn't it just the tineist bit suspicious that he didn't have a steady partner, male, female or even animal?
I must admit, that when I listen to Radio 4's 'Feedback' the self-importance and sanctimonious attitude of some programme-makers is breathtaking and I would not be in the least surprised to discover that these blinkered people who only see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear (plaudits) could explain away the depravities of this yodelling clown., mentioning his good works etc.
I have always regarded public demonstrations of lavish charity to be somewhat suspicious. For example, if I were in a position to set up charitable trusts, I would never endow them with my name. Surely the satisfaction to be gained from charitable acts is not to see one's name in the paper, but to see the name of those helped there.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but Savile was such a creep that he should have been rumbled decades ago. Unfortunately he wasn't.
However, child abuse and paedophilia - indeed all sexual perversions - have been with us since the beginning of time so, in historical terms, it is really no surprise when such a scandal erupts. At least now the scandal does indeed erupt and is not smothered. At this very moment there will be others across the globe in positions of power practising equally despicable acts. With any luck they will be caught and punished a bit sooner than the unfortunately late Jimmy Savile.
Now of course we have to wait to find out exactly who else was involved, and how such abominable acts could continue for so long.
However, we must also acknowledge the fact that finally the truth came out and that the BBC is facing up to its responsibilities. Neither must we forget that although one BBC programme pulled its report on Savile's evil deeds, another, Panorama, has aired its investigations - this in itself is a tribute to the organisation's ability to preserve independence between different producers and programmes and to its Board's non-inteference in editorial decisions.
How many other broadcasting organisations would be able to publicise their own disastrous failings in so much detail and without seeking to justify itself or gloss over the issue? Not many, I would venture.
Auntie Beeb may not always know best; neither may she always act correctly but in the end, she always lives up to her own high standards even if she is rocked by unsavoury and, by any standards, despicably unacceptable behaviour on the part of some of her shadier "celebrities".
I read about a woman who, as a child, was sexually abused by her father. She visits him in jail and frankly says that, while she hates what he did to her, she still loves him as a father.
ReplyDeleteIn the same way, though we should condemn any collusion that may have occurred within the BBC to hide Savile's vile behaviour, I think we still have to give testimony to the corporation's meritorious history as "our" broadcasting service. Equally, that should not prevent us from criticising it where criticism is due. As with the police, so in the BBC I detect in certain quarters a disdain of any opinions and judgements other than their own.
Enough has already been said about vile Savile that I don't need to add any more to it. What interests me is the question "Where does the BBC go from here?" I think in many ways it stands at a crossroads, quite apart from the present scandal. Its independence needs to be protected (just look at other countries' government controlled broadcasting services to see why) but that independence needs to stand on a solid base of honesty, transparency and responsiveness to the needs of the public it serves. Like all venerable institutions, it needs a thorough shaking up and airing from time to time.
Perhaps the board should resign en masse and a new team be brought in composed of people more in touch with our needs, ready to respond honestly to criticism.
I thoroughly agree with your stance on the BBC. I often say that I might have got my degree at University, but I acquired my education from the BBC.
ReplyDeleteIn any organisation over a certain size we will find all humanity therein, so it is with the BBC. The BBC's greatness lies in the fact that, Newsnight apart, it has not shirked from its duty to inform and indeed to begin a lengthy process of self-examination.
I can think of another transnational organisation where pederasty seems to be the norm and which will go to great lengths to cover up these scandals instead of facing the ugly facts.
Finally, your comment on the Board of Governors hits the nail on the head.