Post by Teddy Bear on Aug 15, 2013 18:05:49 GMT
Former head of Sky News, Nick Pollard, is the man the BBC chose to investigate the decision to cancel the Newsnight exposee of Savile. Being interviewed on Radio4 he gave his view of BBC News.
When you know the BBC has to slant most of its news to fit into its agenda, it's understandable that they can't be more natural and free thinking about the way they broadcast it.
When you know the BBC has to slant most of its news to fit into its agenda, it's understandable that they can't be more natural and free thinking about the way they broadcast it.
BBC news 'one-paced, bland and naive', says former head of Sky News
By Steven Swinford
The BBC's news coverage is "one-paced, bland and naive", a former television executive who carried out a review into the BBC's decision to drop an investigation on Jimmy Savile has said.
Nick Pollard, the former head of Sky News, said that the corporation's news coverage is too "predictable" and the corporation is failing to think "laterally" about stories.
He said: "It's very predictable [and] tends to be one pace. Nothing ever surprises you. I don't think you get the sense that someone has said I've got a really great idea of how to portray this story, the angle it might take.
"It just runs on I think there's a slight tendency to naivety in some of the coverage, particularly of home news stories. I get the impression as a viewer that they're slightly too keen on latching on to pressure groups, special interest groups."
Mr Pollard, who was speaking on BBC Radio 4's The Media Show, said that the corporation's management structure and the failure of individuals to take responsibility contributed to the problem.
He said: "One of the reasons for the slight blandness in BBC television news is the fact you can't see the hand of an individual in it. I think it needs an individual touch visible from time to time."
He suggested that the size corporation's management was an issue. He said: "In the places that I have worked that have produced the best journalism short chains of command are the key. Is the command structure right?"
Mr Pollard's report said the BBC’s decision to drop a Newsnight investigation into Jimmy Savile’s child abuse was “flawed” but was not taken to avoid a clash with planned tribute programmes to the presenter
By Steven Swinford
The BBC's news coverage is "one-paced, bland and naive", a former television executive who carried out a review into the BBC's decision to drop an investigation on Jimmy Savile has said.
Nick Pollard, the former head of Sky News, said that the corporation's news coverage is too "predictable" and the corporation is failing to think "laterally" about stories.
He said: "It's very predictable [and] tends to be one pace. Nothing ever surprises you. I don't think you get the sense that someone has said I've got a really great idea of how to portray this story, the angle it might take.
"It just runs on I think there's a slight tendency to naivety in some of the coverage, particularly of home news stories. I get the impression as a viewer that they're slightly too keen on latching on to pressure groups, special interest groups."
Mr Pollard, who was speaking on BBC Radio 4's The Media Show, said that the corporation's management structure and the failure of individuals to take responsibility contributed to the problem.
He said: "One of the reasons for the slight blandness in BBC television news is the fact you can't see the hand of an individual in it. I think it needs an individual touch visible from time to time."
He suggested that the size corporation's management was an issue. He said: "In the places that I have worked that have produced the best journalism short chains of command are the key. Is the command structure right?"
Mr Pollard's report said the BBC’s decision to drop a Newsnight investigation into Jimmy Savile’s child abuse was “flawed” but was not taken to avoid a clash with planned tribute programmes to the presenter
