Bectu responds to CMS Committee’s report on slated BBC Chair  

Responding to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s report on the pre-appointment hearing for the proposed Chair of the BBC Board, Dr Samir Shah, Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: 

“We welcome the committee’s robust scrutiny, which is entirely appropriate given the significance of this role and that this appointment comes at a particularly challenging time for the BBC. 

“Of particular concern is the strong criticism directed at DCMS. It is crucial that government departments properly engage with parliamentary committees, who have a critical role to play in ensuring candidates’ suitability. 

“The BBC Chair plays a key role in ensuring the BBC delivers its mission and public purposes, and the committee must be able to do its job of scrutinising candidates without being hindered by a department that operates in bad faith or does not follow its own guidelines. As we saw with the drawn out debacle around the previous Chair and the damage this caused to the BBC’s reputation, the public must have faith in the appointment process. DCMS’ failure to engage with the committee and their poor handling of the licence fee and preferred Chair announcements could jeopardise this. 

“We have always maintained that the appointment of a BBC Chair should no longer be a gift of the Government. To preserve a strong and thriving public service broadcaster, licence fee payers need a champion who is independent from the government and is prepared to act in their interest.”