Witch Hunts. Self-Flagellation. Paedophilia. I Admire The BBC.
An extraordinary and bizarre event took place tonight between 10.30 pm and 10.35 pm.
Newsnight was running its lead story about Panorama’s story about Newsnight not doing a story about Jimmy Saville.
Five minutes later Panorama started its story about Newsnight not doing a story about Jimmy Saville.
Meanwhile on BBC News the lead story was Panorama, Newsnight, Panorama on Newsnight, Newsnight on Panorama on Newsnight.
You have to give the BBC due credit and respect.
Clearly bad things took place on its premises and under its auspices but the absurd level of guilt by association or even suspicion is pernicious and evil. MPs are grandstanding over it, including John Whittingdale, chair of the Culture select committee, whose politicking and pre-judgement of his own inquiry is disgraceful. Obviously the print media and other broadcasters are exploiting it for their own ends but I admire the BBC’s handling of the scandal. Any other media organisation would have covered it up.
The BBC is its own fiercest critic and I congratulate it for that.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and a dreadfully cruel thing for those who had the best intentions.
I think the BBC have seen which way the wind is blowing and decided to take its own action first before public opinion turns on them.I think people might be getting fed up with paying the licence fee and this case could lead to some reform.
jaded
October 23, 2012 at 10:29 am
I thought the whole business had moved into witch-hunting territory when i read that Savile’s family had asked for his gravestone to be removed (presumably to prevent its being vandalised). And while i can quite understand why some victims are only speaking out now when they have a chance of being believed, there are other people taking the opportunity to spread totally unsupported rumours, such as Paul Gambaccini suggesting that “perhaps” Savile indulged in necrophilia.
Rob
October 30, 2012 at 6:05 pm
With all that back and forth, did anyone actually do a story on Jimmy Saville, or just stories on not doing stories on him?
joeinvegas
October 31, 2012 at 8:50 pm
In this case, the story of the story is more of a story than the story ever was.
I think….?
NobblySan
November 1, 2012 at 8:12 pm
Details of the St John ambulance paedophiles and their paedophile protection network which stretches all the way to St John International head office in London, are here:
http://www.stjohnnz.com
Frank Jackson (@FrankJa37878421)
November 18, 2012 at 9:26 am