Letter: BBC bosses

Christopher Graham
Monday 26 April 1999 00:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Your leader, "We need a new way of choosing BBC bosses" (22 April), contains so many misconceptions that I feel I must put the record straight. The next Director-General will be appointed by the 12 governors of the BBC alone and without interference, either political or commercial. This will be the case both in theory and practice, both officially and unofficially.

The BBC is not a state broadcaster. It is not for ministers to issue a job description for the BBC's Director-General nor does the BBC need "a governmental mission statement".

The governors are clear about the requirements of the job and the BBC has recently set out its vision of the future in The BBC Beyond 2000.

You call for a selection board made up of people with experience of the industry as well as public life. That is a good description of today's BBC governors, who have set in train a rigorous, clear and objective process designed to identify the best person to be the next Director-General.

CHRISTOPHER GRAHAM

The Secretary, BBC

London W1

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in