Andy Webb is the author of Dianarama: The Betrayal of Princess Diana. We discuss his years-long investigation into the BBC Panorama interview with Princess Diana, the controversial methods used by journalist Martin Bashir, the ongoing questions of BBC accountability and transparency, and the significant challenges he faced accessing the BBC’s archives in pursuit of the full story.

"It could be plausibly argued that Diana would be alive today—64 years old, the grandmother of five kids—had the BBC, in April of 1996 or thereabouts, told her what they knew."

Listen to all our episodes here: https://podfollow.com/beebwatch

To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership

@beebwatch.bsky.social

@BeebRoger

Instagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatch

LinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

email: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Ayre is a former Controller of Editorial Policy and Deputy Chief Executive of BBC News, and later became a member of the BBC Trust. We discuss the BBC's crisis: how the organisation should respond to legal threats from Trump; the resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness; the actions and inaction of the editorial guidelines and standards committee; and the wider impact on BBC journalism.

Richard also explains the process for appointing a new Director General, the implications for Charter Renewal, and the failures of the current governance system.

"Ministers have the power now to insert onto the shortlist people of their own choosing, irrespective of what any independent panel says. It's corrupt. It invites corruption. We have to take all public appointments out of political hands, and that includes the non-executive directors of the BBC."

Listen to all our episodes here: https://podfollow.com/beebwatch

To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership

@beebwatch.bsky.social

@BeebRoger

Instagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatch

LinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

email: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Younge, former BBC Chief Creative Officer and board member at ITV Studios, responds to allegations of bias made against the BBC’s Panorama programme; outlines proposals from the British Broadcasting Challenge for renewing the BBC’s charter and ensuring its long-term independence and relevance; and discusses the impact of media consolidation by wealthy, powerful figures in the US and how this affects the UK media landscape, especially Channel 5. We also discuss broadcast funding models, governance reforms, the importance of universality and trust, the role of citizen assemblies and the prominence of news and current affairs.

“The BBC is like the sun around which our entire broadcasting universe revolves. So we need to get the BBC right. If everything else is going to be right.”

Find out more about the British Broadcasting Challenge: britishbroadcastingchallenge.com

Listen to all our episodes here: https://podfollow.com/beebwatch

To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership

@beebwatch.bsky.social

@BeebRoger

Instagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatch

LinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

email: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.