Ruth Davidson:
Today is his first day in the job, but Tim Davie needs to get on with planning a viable future for the Beeb
Welcome to the hot seat, Tim Davie. The new directorgeneral of the BBC starts today – and there’s plenty in his in-tray. While his predecessor Lord Hall of Birkenhead was met with multiple scandals to solve in his first few months – Jimmy Savile sexual abuse allegations, Panorama’s false accusations against Lord Mcalpine and the small matter of Jeremy Clarkson allegedly assaulting production staff – Mr Davie’s challenges may be less explosive but ultimately prove harder to solve.
What is the role of a national broadcaster in an on-demand age? How does the BBC pay for itself in future and can it take on the behemoths of Netflix and Amazon? Does it do less, better, or continue to keep the same number of services but salami slice savings from each of them? Is impartiality still important and, if so, how is it achieved when individual presenting staff espouse partisan opinions on social media? The BBC is arguably the most effective exerciser of “soft power” at the UK’S disposal, so how does the corporation put pressure back on government to support overseas services? In a culture war where the UK feels fractured, how does the same broadcaster speak for (and have a sense of ownership by) young, urban, black Britain at the same time as white, elderly suburbia?
First, let’s dispel a few myths. The BBC is not simply a heritage brand although many commentators seem to treat it as such. Technical innovations such as iplayer and the BBC Sounds app have often been industry-leading developments. At times of national crisis or unity – from the coronavirus outbreak to Olympic opening ceremonies – it is still the Beeb to which people turn. The news and sport pages of its website have huge reach and “event telly” such as Killing Eve or Strictly Come Dancing still command massive audiences.
But it does feel as if the broadcaster is at a crossroads. Its current funding model of a TV licence, backed by criminal prosecution if not paid, is on its last legs. The current funding round lasts until 2027, but it’s an open secret that enforcement will move from a criminal to a civil matter in short order. Mr Davie’s first job is to bring forward a funding model that works for the BBC and then sell it to the politicians – otherwise he’ll likely face a plan being forced upon him.
Second, he needs to get a grip of talent management. Some of the most high-profile fallouts in recent years have been over the way the organisation treats its on-air presenters – think Carrie Gracie and Samira Ahmed taking the Beeb to tribunals over equal pay for women – or the presenters themselves getting into hot water over comments they’ve made on social media. If Gary Lineker is getting paid £1.75million a year to front BBC football coverage (as he was from 2018 to 2019), is it right that he’s moonlighting for BT sport doing the same? Presenters are self-employed, yes, but if the BBC aren’t paying for exclusivity and to protect their investment, why are they making him their highest paid presenter?
Similarly, the BBC has rules about political campaigning. Its guidelines state that: “Political activity by individuals, including on-air talent on long-term contracts, must not compromise the BBC’S impartiality or undermine public confidence in the BBC.” When I was a BBC journalist (only joining the Conservatives on the day I handed in my voluntary redundancy request, as I took my obligation to impartiality seriously) that meant being careful about being seen on protest marches or using BBC resources to promote your chosen party. However, despite a number of colleagues being active political campaigners during my time in the BBC, I never heard of anyone being pulled up for it.
It’s time Mr Davie sat down with senior producers, presenters and staff and worked out where the line is in the digital age. That doesn’t just mean arbitrating on Ed Murrow-style on-air speeches, such as the one Emily Maitlis was reprimanded for on Newsnight, but also the social media activity of top BBC talent. If a star’s online following is built on the BBC’S programming reach, then their pronouncements do reflect on their employer. Such an approach benefits everyone, as presenters shouldn’t have to guess what the rules are or worry about senior management’s response to complaints. They should have a framework to operate under that is fair and consistent.
Similarly, some proper thought needs to be given to what the corporation means by “diversity”. I
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believe all organisations benefit from a range of voices and backgrounds, and that any public offering is made better by being regularly challenged to stop the laziness of orthodoxy. It is right that presenters, reporters and actors look and sound much more like the Britain they represent – and the work the BBC has done to recruit and support black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) talent should be recognised.
But if that talent is coming from the same urban strongholds, the same socio-economic backgrounds and the same universities as those already populating the studios and newsrooms, that challenge is blunted and orthodoxy baked in. We don’t just need BAME voices, we also need the voices of more than half of the country who aren’t degree educated, the voices of rural Britain, voices from outside the middle class and outside the M25. “Woke backlash” spats such as the recent outcry over singing Rule, Britannia at the Proms are not going away anytime soon. Greater diversity of talent and background will help the BBC to make the right call more often.
Finally, a well-organised, selfconfident BBC that is comfortable with its offering locally and nationally, both on air and online, will be a much more attractive prospect to viewers and in a much stronger position to push back against politicians who want to give it a kick. Mr Davie comes from a marketing background. But the changes the BBC needs to make aren’t cosmetic or fixed with a makeover and a new tag line. They are far deeper and more fundamental. I’m glad he’s a marathon runner, because Mr Davie needs to be in this for the long haul.