Looking at the BBC’s problems from a management perspective

, the supremely qualified Jeff Randall, writing in the Telegraph, says All the BBC needs is proper management. Some excerpts:

Queengate and Fincham’s departure:

As Fincham walked, the BBC promised “to implement a comprehensive set of actions to address the weaknesses of communications and co-ordination with other divisions.” Do what?

Hello, it’s not that complicated. This fiasco does not merit another burst of expensive training manuals. There’s no need for yet more weasel worded instructions on internal discourse. You simply tell staff: DON’T MAKE IT UP. If you do, you will be slung out. No ifs, no buts and no compensation. That would do the trick, but it’s not going to happen. Instead, all programme-makers are being sent on truth courses. The BBC should broadcast them: I’d pay good money to see John Humphrys and Jeremy Paxman being lectured by some numpty on why telling fibs is a bad idea.

“Queengate” has been embarrassing. But the source of BBC dysfunctionality lies much deeper than the improper splicing of a documentary about royal life.

Over 80 years, a system has been created in which getting rid of feeble performers is almost impossible. The unions, though they speak for less than half the staff, fight any sacking to the last ditch. The upshot is a large rump of people who shouldn’t be there. They are bitter, disillusioned and going nowhere. They openly resent the success of more talented colleagues. For this grisly bunch, there are no triumphs to enjoy, merely the savouring of other people’s disasters. Their bad karma is palpable, yet they are allowed to cling on like barnacles on a sewage pipe.

The BBC’s problem in short:

At the BBC, red lights should be flashing. It is clearly no longer what it says it is. Well, not entirely. The corporation has always sought to distance itself from other media in terms of integrity, impartiality and fairness, but in recent months it has fallen short on all three. Flagship shows such as Blue Peter, Children in Need, Comic Relief and Sport Relief have been debased by dodgy dealings. Arts supremo Alan Yentob inserted himself into interviews that he never conducted. Worst of all, Her Majesty was stitched up.

Many decent souls in BBC News are furious. They despair at the sclerosis caused by a surfeit of toadying bureaucrats.

Randall’s suspicions about Thompson’s plans:

Thompson is close to delivering his proposals for coping with a licence-fee settlement that was less than management had asked for. I’m told that he plans to chip away at BBC jewels – such as Today, the main television news bulletins and documentaries – instead of throwing out diamanté rubbish.

With more than £3 billion of annual income, the BBC is an exceptionally well funded broadcaster. It doesn’t need extra income to continue with its world-class service. What’s required is management courage to call time on paper-clip collectors while diverting resources to output that really matters.

Another article worth reading in full.