Post by Teddy Bear on Jan 23, 2008 19:13:59 GMT
BBC urged to disclose salaries of presenters
By Nicole Martin, Digital and Media Correspondent
Last Updated: 2:39am GMT 23/01/200
The BBC should come clean about the salaries of its presenters, a group of MPs has said.
The all-party culture, media and sport select committee said it could not understand why the corporation was willing to disclose the wages of its board and trustees but not those of stars such as Jonathan Ross.
By Nicole Martin, Digital and Media Correspondent
Last Updated: 2:39am GMT 23/01/200
The BBC should come clean about the salaries of its presenters, a group of MPs has said.
The all-party culture, media and sport select committee said it could not understand why the corporation was willing to disclose the wages of its board and trustees but not those of stars such as Jonathan Ross.
It's easy enough to understand, it's because the BBC don't mind the public knowing what it costs the public to oversee them, but would rather not face public condemnation for spending exhorbitant fees for middling talent.
The committee had asked the BBC to consider publishing pay brackets giving an impression of presenters' pay deals without disclosing any names.
Leaked figures showed Ross signed a three-year contract with the BBC worth £18 million, while Graham Norton struck a £5 million two-year deal and Terry Wogan a one-year package worth £800,000.
But the BBC Trust, the corporation's governing body, claimed that disclosing talent costs, even in bands, could cause "commercial prejudice to the BBC" and breach confidentiality.
Leaked figures showed Ross signed a three-year contract with the BBC worth £18 million, while Graham Norton struck a £5 million two-year deal and Terry Wogan a one-year package worth £800,000.
But the BBC Trust, the corporation's governing body, claimed that disclosing talent costs, even in bands, could cause "commercial prejudice to the BBC" and breach confidentiality.
"Commercial prejudice" ;D
They can count on private companies making a fuss about how the BBC is engaged in unfair competitive practices, and using public funds to do it.
Don Foster, the Liberal Democrat spokesman for culture, media and sport, said: "The BBC’s response to the select committee confirms what we've said all along – that the BBC must be more open and accountable."
And we know the BBC is far from that!