BBC work culture review begins after scandals

UK

The BBC has announced an independent workplace culture review after several controversies in recent months.

A report reviewing the broadcaster’s working environment will be led by Grahame Russell, executive chairman and founder of Change Associates, and is set to be published next spring.

The BBC said it will focus on “preventing abuse of power and ensuring everyone at the BBC conducts themselves in line” with the corporation’s values.

BBC chairman Samir Shah announced the start of the review in an email to all BBC staff and said he “cannot emphasise enough that I am fully committed to tackling inappropriate or abusive behaviour”.

“For most of us it is a joy to work for the BBC and that should be the case for everyone.

“Nobody working in the BBC should ever feel fear or worry while working here.

“What is clear to me is that we must ensure the BBC is a safe, secure and welcoming workplace for everyone.”

Change Associates also led the work on the BBC’s 2013 Respect at Work review in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Image:
Samir Shah told staff everyone should feel safe working at the BBC.
Pic: Reuters

The BBC noted Change Associates will “assess progress made on those recommendations” from the 2013 review, and will also look at work done in other reviews.

It comes after director-general Tim Davie admitted last month that the broadcaster’s reputation had been impacted following the Huw Edwards scandal.

Edwards, who was the BBC’s lead presenter, pleaded guilty to three counts of “making” indecent images of children.

He was then given a suspended sentence of six months at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London in September.

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In September, the corporation apologised to former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Amanda Abbington over complaints she made against her dancing partner Giovanni Pernice.

The One Show presenter Jermaine Jenas was also fired after admitting to sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues.

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