London – The BBC has long faced a series of crises – including a case of sexual harassment perpetrated by the former presenter of one of its radios – that can be metaphorically compared to a person battling a hangover at sea and bewildered by a new wave. He seemed to have survived the last one.
Announcement of an investment £1bn in an internal research system provided by a Silicon Valley company, conducted in the middle of a funding and headcount season this week, was unlikely to escape unscathed, allowing the network to explain itself.
In fact, the company doesn’t need to spend that much to find out the extent and causes of dissatisfaction. One is the case involving former star of the house, DJ Tim Westwood, citing the biggest scandal in the BBC’s 100-year history. Jimmy Savile’s case.
Server made history for sexual abuse
Slightly quirky and extremely charismatic, the host was an international celebrity. He started out as a playlist show host, as did Westwood.
But he hid a dark side as a sexual predator that came to light after his death in 2011.
It was a stain in the history of the BBC, accused of failing to act when warned for fear of scandal or not to lose its star. And also in the rest of the press, which would be ignored in this case.
Also Read | Netflix series exposes media negligence on Jimmy Savile’s ‘British horror show’
Savile version 2022, Westwood, now 64 years old. He directed the first nationally aired rap show on UK radio until 2017.
And when the Savile scam was solved, she was cast in the house. Strangely enough, no suspicion arose against him, at least in public.
In April this year, an investigation by The Guardian newspaper and the BBC itself uncovered seven allegations that the presenter was sexually harassed and abused while working at the station.
The women, all black, were aspiring artists who were drawn to Westwood in search of an opportunity. One was 14 years old.
The plot is the same with similar cases involving physical abuse and invitations to “professional” meetings in hotels that occasionally shake up the artistic or corporate world.
And comparisons to Saville became a recurring theme across networks, as did this combination of the two servers.
about your little breast #timwestwood It starts trending on Facebook on the internet. #survivingtimwestwood #face transplant #Jimmy Savile #Humor https://t.co/Jhi7pIDr8k pic.twitter.com/2hrzwgq1nu
— Preachaman (RCJPHOTOS) ???? (@Preachaman) April 26, 2022
The informants told their stories under the obscene name in a documentary broadcast by BBC3. abuse of power. Others later went public with new allegations.
At the end of April, in response to allegations of sexual misconduct, host Tim Westwood quit his radio show Capital Xtra, as well as shows in the UK and many other countries.
Gettin LITTY in Ghana ???????? ???????? Easter ????????
Thursday, April 14 – Kumasi @empnightclubFriday, April 15 – Osu Accra – Kruna Nightclub @Smadeevents @basycrow pic.twitter.com/htVaLGh4hx
– TimWestwoodTV (@TimWestwood) March 22, 2022
crisis management
Worse than a crisis is a mismanaged crisis.
When the case broke out, BBC Director-General Tim Davie said there was no evidence of previous complaints. He admitted that in the first week of July, at least one of the sexual abuse cases involving the presenter was reported to the police.
The position felt like an attempt to cover up, whether it was out of ignorance that was hard to believe given the gravity of the matter, or a vain hope that the crisis would disappear.
It is also questionable if the agency is trying to moderate the abuses on the grounds that it is not within the BBC or with the staff, as it did in its official statement.
Even if they were involved in personal contexts, there would be reason to consider whether such an employee is worthy to continue on the team.
Also Read | The newspaper said the letter denouncing sexual harassment in 2011 led to Chris Cuomo being fired from CNN
Harassment and sexual abuse are crimes. And if a company knows that a member of its team has killed or stolen it, they can’t keep him in business.
But that wasn’t even the case with the server scandal. Episodes narrated by the victims were directly related to Westwood’s professional position. For this reason, many people on social networks want research on the behavior of the network.
The BBC was also criticized for its handling of the issue. There were many posts on social media that drew attention to the use of the phrase “to have sex” to describe his 30-year-old relationship with a 14-year-old girl, which actually meant rape.
Don’t worry @BBC news I fixed that for you – WHEN rape IS NOT SEX. RESPONSIBLY NOTICE!! #timwestwood #reports #responsibly pic.twitter.com/mv26cPKeRs
— Bianca ???? (@iambiancafh) 13 July 2022
The timing of such a debate couldn’t have been worse, with the Boris Johnson government putting in motion a plan to cut funding and power.
Also Read | French TV presenter accused of harassment and rape by 20 women in documentary
Server sexual abuse and other crises
Jimmy Savile’s sexual abuse case does not seem to have taught the BBC much about how to deal with the Tim Westwood crisis, neither during nor after. And this is not the only crisis at the moment.
Last week, the network had to apologize and indemnify Prince William and Harry’s former nanny for accusations that she had a romance with Prince Charles during her infamous interview with Princess Diana.
Talent is leaving, such as Emily Maitlis, who interviewed Prince Andrew at Buckingham Palace about the sexual harassment scandal responsible for a crisis that led to his withdrawal from public life.
The publisher’s annual report on the highest paid salaries has been criticized for some increases in values and times of crisis.
This month, reporters were told of the BBC’s plan to cut £8m by merging British and international news channels and reducing local coverage.
An internal survey of BBC employees seen by The Times found that less than half said they were excited about the company’s future. And 25% of the employees didn’t even bother to respond.
The £1 billion contract with the US company aims to increase employee response to internal surveys to better assess the extent and cause of dissatisfaction. Is it necessary?
Also Read | BBC transgender story raises questions about inclusive language and representation
source: Noticias
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