³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

So is Peter Rippon resigning or not?

@John - he just did ;)

Helen Boaden should step down as well.

What is 'stepping aside'?

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5 pm

'What is stepping aside'

aka freefall, whether a parachute is supplied is not evident

If the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ thinks the number 1 is the right number to defuse they are wrong

It is very hard for extensive and consistent abuse or bad behavior to continue in a work environment without people in the vicinity having some idea of what is going on.

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In summary: ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ issue a statement - statement proves to be inaccurate - ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ issue an apology and a new statement - statement proves to be inaccurate - ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ issue an apology and a new statement - statement proves to be inaccurate......and so on.

It might be useful if the host could add a footnote to the original blog entry with a link to this correction entry.

On another note does anyone know why the Panorama episode has been moved to 10:35pm, when it was originally scheduled for 8:30pm (according to previous articles on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News website)?

"stepping aside"??
Resigning?
Resigned?
Moving out of the way for someone behind (below?) him to be hit by the bus?
Keeping his pension?

And there ought to now be a full scale Leveson style inquiry into the whole operation, management, and output of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ.

It's not Mr Savile - he was Sir Jimmy, for good or evil!

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ really needs whole scale changes in its management structure, as this is typical of its deny everything management.

From the serious child abuse allegations, to the implementation of changes to its services, the consumer is always treated with contempt.

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Hold on, this statement itself is untrue!
It says "The blog says that all the women spoken to...had contacted the police independently...".
The blog says that the team were "confident" that the women had done so, but it doesn't state this was a proven fact.
Irrespective whether the allegations are true, the editorial decision by Newsnight seems to be becoming a witch hunt in itself!

'Essential truth' of Savile Affair?

A reflection of inevitability, of need to be reminded of hidden dangers, of one predator & his vulnerable prey, casualties of the rule of Naivety?

Or, of a cultural vulnerability, under the rule of Fear & Greed, individuals dreaming of escape & power, Savile, innocent fans, and hungry executives?

A wise move: my thoughts are with all those affected.

Ah, no I see what "stepping aside" means.
It seems that a spell of reduced duties whilst collecting pay and pension is his 'punishment'.
When will the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ staff realise that the world outside its bubble will not continue to tolerate its antics. For how long must the British public continue to finance their gravy train?

Despite campaigners & press, facts can be slow to emerge, 'wisdom & history' being given by loudest, by 'winners'

This scandal might be 'used' to settle scores, or as a political opportunity - not necessarily off-target

Widening from Savile to 'cover-up' or crass commercialism, a crucial cultural diagnosis might become inescapable

If the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ was run by professional managers and not by ratings obsessed, celebrity obsessed, self-congratulatory left wing luvvies promoted from within then these types of problems might be avoided.... gross overpayment of "stars"; active promotion of tax avoidance schemes; complete failure to investigate Savile....what next?

Shouldn't a post about what Peter Rippon said include his name rather than just "the editor"? Also, shouldn't the statements he made be attributed as "Mr Rippon says" rather than "the blog says"?

It makes it look like the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ are avoiding attributing to Mr Rippon what he said, but rather using impersonal wording as if it was an inanimate object (the blog) that made these incorrect statements.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ will work with the Pollard Review to gather all relevant evidence to enable the review to determine the full facts. Until this is done, I don't think it is right to sack anyone. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ got it wrong; ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ apologized. Now that it is attempting to do the right thing, the situation should be left alone to play itself out...and then shall come the repercusions...

Sounds like a load of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ obfuscation.

Pity the individual, always able to see uncertainties, decision to share even strong suspicion as to falsehood / crime, risking error, embarrassment, even incrimination, for self, audience, superiors. However we frame our ethical codes, we all have to make judgements as to the significance of ideas & rumours & signs of wrong, not to be too ready or too reluctant to speak

To address apparent failures of judgement, individual, institutional, or cultural, we need to understand varying perceptions of 'importance to others' in what is alleged, & varying trust in the likely response of society-as-constituted to identified problem, penitents, & whistle-blowers. Factors likely to include Fear & Greed, action overdue

Before we allow ourselves to think, "that's life", going on to change TV-channels for better entertainment, we might consider the seriousness of our hopes of shareable individual freedom. If we have chosen democracy for delivery of peace, prosperity & well-being, 'Savile' might be made the instrument of some cultural salvation.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

'inaccurate or incomplete in some respects.'
Not sure its boding too well on the information, accuracy and/or trust front, which for a 'news' provider can't be great. But if ever I need to brush up on Clintonian semantics, I will know where to go. If a bit steep at £145.50 a year.

Much, much too slow in reacting to the stories - Chris Patten, George Entwhistle and down. As someone who treasures the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, this saddens me.

Bluesberry §22 is wrong.
These detailed reviews are going to allow those that have done nothing to stay at home, doing nothing but collecting their salaries whilst on 'step aside' suspension, and then a line will be drawn under all things and these managers will be permitted by other managers to return to their ludicrously overpaid and under accountable posts.

whatever happens, just remember, we all paid to cover this up....

What the Saville incident shows is if presenters are allowed to stay at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ for too long, these type of incidents tend to happen. So, all presenters who have been at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ for more than 20 years should be fired ASAP. Actually, they should be hurled out onto the car park unceremoniously ASAP. Yes, I mean the Dimbleby brothers, Humphrys, Paxman, Esler, Wark, Robinson.

Very frustrating that among all the comments from the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, none has addressed why as recently as end July 2012, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ was giving such wide and sympathetic coverage to the auction of Saville's personal effects. Was this not highly inappropriate given what other parts of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ clearly knew?

By not featuring the Newsnight story in December 2011, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ allowed that tasteless auction of Saville memorabilia to go head, leading to this sickening press release from Dreweatts, the auctioneers:

Perhaps fair that, to be 'strong interest' for Newsnight, celebrity abuse scandal would need 'institutional angle', such as 'police inaction'

Sadly, institutional angle already 'strong' from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ 'duty of care' & from cultural underpinning of the abuse, in relationships of power, fear & greed

All bear responsibility for 'our culture': hopes rest in Leveson?

Probably it would end the flow of scandals for highest Paxmanesque address in the future, but is it not time for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ - Lord Patten like Nixon going where no 'Pinko' would dare - to address the place of 'the citizen' in modern 'democratic' Britain?

Must we live by Fear & Greed, as suspect children in a suspect detention-centre?

When Dame Janet Smith comes to "look at" the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Savile Years, can we hope in the wake of Shipman, Leveson, Libor that 'a bell will will be rung', that instead of being humoured into 'vain unholy collusion' on bureaucratic mock-revalidation, the courage will be found to face 'democratic deficit', for the liberation of conscience?

Amongst the reforms Dame Janet might entertain, a sensible 'character' allowance for comment on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News output?

'Democratic deficit' is from lack of secure equality, but my reasoned comment has taken eight posts to build to prescription

End the constant exposure of all to livelihood-threat

Penalties only for laziness or criminality

An interesting notion. The irony of comments being closed there is not lost.

On editorial function, Nick Jones, ex-³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ with impeccably 'conservative' voice, reports his own suspicions of editorial kow-towing to Government, in Margaret Thatcher's 1980s (over industrial relations), and in Tony Blair's 1990s (on special advisers). Further relevant, 'dictation of police evidence' on Hillsborough, etc? Democracy?

The correction lacks contextual rigour in its criticism of the original. It looks to me like a product from spin central. If I were Peter Rippon I'd feel really aggrieved and would look forward to the opportunity to rebut when the time is right.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ was less than a 100% accurate in it`s reporting,shame,shame,³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ.

Our "TV license" tax money and your charter demand better!

@12. Technically a knighthood or order ends with death. Its just polite to refer to the person in that method (I think Mr Saville has gone beyond anyone being polite)

Well, well, well, If PR hasnt been got at, then Im a kangaroo. The 3 corrected statements can be driven thru by a simple solicitor never mind a QC. The new agruments lack any merit at all, if anything it puts the top people right in the line of fire. If I was PR I would watch his back and get ready for a showdown for the night of the long knives is a coming.

Indeed 'sordid & difficult', to compartmentalise the Savile Affair as such, would be to add to serial abuse of a vulnerable public

We cannot 'command' (even if as PM) due respect & help for each other (even for vulnerable prisoners & minors), when none, not even minors, can be confident of belonging as willing secure contributors

Perhaps the Newsview comparison between the should be updated to reflect the fact that the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not as infallible as many South Africans seem to believe. Still, at least the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ provides the courtesy of a correction when they find a mistake!

I can see the Daily Mail headlines now moaning about the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ not protecting teenage girls. But of course, you go to the Daily Mail website and you'll see teenage girls dressed in either saucy swimwear or raunchy clothes. Isn't hypocrisy just grand!

Agree with Bluesberry (#22) - at least the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has acknowledged they got it wrong which is something. The investigation should now be allowed to run its course... It's a bit pointless speculating until all the facts are in hand.

Well we all know that corruption is rife in the Government, why should the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ
be any different , they are owned by them. Comon lets have some imformation
on the Greedy Rich Elite Banksters and the crimes they have commited during this Century
Ruining the lives of Millions Come on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ do your Job! let us know what really is going on the "Truth will out" sooner or later so why not now

That Sir James was probably a paedophile and the fact that he was a lifelong Catholic honored with papal knighthood by the Pope sit uneasily together.

"³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ regrets these errors and will work with the Pollard review… to determine the full facts."

A pity then that ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ can't be trusted not to make these errors and an appalling shame that it didn’t attempt to "determine the full facts" in the very first place before putting misleading information on its news blogs for its licence payers to read

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is no longer to be trusted as it once was. This apology comes merely because events have overtaken their damage limitation exercise, and doesn't convince that the culture over cover-ups over the last 40 years is much different now.

And now I'm remembering how we got the brush off from Richard Porter regarding 911, whitewashed by Mike Rudin. You know best and we're all crazy right? And who could forget that two way with Jane Standley reporting the collapse of WTC 7 an hour before it happened...

I love the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, but its really obvious when the chiling effect takes hold in your reporting. I can sense it, we all can.

Why are the bbc pre moderating all comments on this subject? It doesn't look good!

Rippon acted only after discussing the matter with Entwhistle, it's clear the DG must go too.

Msg 47. Spot on. The Mail is hypocritical beyond belief. This whole affair has turned into a feeding frenzy and a very unedifying one to boot. Can people pleae just let the investigation begin, the FACTS established and then we can see what on earth has really gone on.

Panorama investigating Newsnight ? What a joke. The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has handled this mess in a totally incompetent way. Who is running ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News - Terry and June ?

Almost surreal that the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ,with its outstanding history of public service broadcasting, is being brought to its knees by the activities of a deceased, vile and essentially thick disc jockey/TV presenter. Why was this arrogant clown accorded so much deference and protective silence? Unfathomable.

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'Worry not - what is to be is to be - and inscrutable Fates very busy arranging program'. Charlie Chan (Charlie Chan's Greatest Case)

Ah, the new meaning of words.
Q: Does "stepping aside" mean "resigning"? A: Probably not.
Q: Does "inaccurate or incomplete" mean "containing lies"? A: The jury's out on that one...

it is my feeling that the wrong questions are being asked regarding Mr Rippon. Before his programme would have gone to air it would have had to be legaled by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ lawyers and may have required scrutiny by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Editorial policy officials.Therefore did he really choose not to air the item or was he advised not to... for whatever reason.

Good to see Conservative Central Office and The Daily Mail readership enjoying themselves so much.

So, when will the witch hunt for Edwina Curry start then? Or would that lay blame at the doorstep of Mrs T?

The Panorama programme that was shown tonight was appalling. Appalling because the report stated that Jimmy Savile actually did those acts, without stating that the wrongdoings are ALLEGED. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? It's all so easy to accuse someone of a wrongdoing when they're not alive to defend themselves.

Panorama on Savile. Devastating

History, lack of sense & spine

Far beyond 'internal investigation', either of 'truth' or criminality

Think of other issues, perhaps wrongly discounted, 'right & left'

Surely no choice: rebuild upon determined pro-democracy

Back to solid ground, intent of original Charter

No more dumb support of inequality & corruption

Leveson?

I have just seen Panorama and I am amazed at the magnitude of the cover up.
The tribute to JS last year was far more important than a story that has affected vulnerable young people. I am also intrigued by the fact that Panorama has been shown quite late comparing with other episodes showed much earlier in the evening. By doing so ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ seems here not too adamant to spread the NEWS!!!!

Watched Panorama tonight. George E should have asked more questions having been told about the Newsnight investigation. This would have led him to drop the Christmas tributes. He failed to prevent the wholly inappropriate transmission of the tributes. He should resign now rather that wait for the inevitable pressure to build (just like Andrew Mitchel) and do even more damage to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

64. At 23:43 22nd Oct 2012, mn1234

'..without stating that the wrongdoings are ALLEGED. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?'

What indeed. However the speed of some reactions and the type of actions also speak. Such as the Savile family dismantling his gravestone PDQ and the nature of the police comments

63. muadib2

Good to see some still casting about for once trusted diversionary lifelines. The Guardian sought the opinion of an ex-³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Director. Their readers also still seem less than impressed with his 'analysis'.

?

Maybe they too have concerns on 'inaccurate or incomplete'?

It’s strange indeed that a public broadcaster would put its own interests and those of its staff way before any concern for the public good, but that's the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ in a nutshell. Entwhistle had this to say yesterday: "We have set up an independent enquiry," as if anything set up by an organisation itself under suspicion can be truly independent.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ can duck and dive to cover up its more minor offences and get away with it, but this story is massive. Rather than the pretence of transparency that we've seen so far, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ should be facing the crisis with courage and should really be trying to uncover the extent of its complicity in Savile's crimes.

Following the Panorama broadcast and Mark Thompson's hastily released press release afterwards, it surely beggars belief that neither he, nor George Entwistle in his former incarnation as Head of TV when told about the Newsnight investigation simply asked 'Investigation about what allegations ?'

This is an interesting way of looking at it: /news/uk-20031176
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Editor goes on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ site to explain why ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is in the clear because the way the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ does things is so complex they are dead honest but inept, really. Trust him on this.

Shame that, for some reason, comments were disabled.

"The social psychology of this century reveals a major lesson: often it is not so much the kind of person a man is as the kind of situation in which he finds himself that determines how he will act." –Stanley Milgram, 1974

Entwhistle still clinging to faint hopes:

Perhaps Savile case 'might not stand up'?

Rippon inconsistencies 'might be cleared-up'?

Evading confrontation:

Rippon's 'own decision' had a context…

At least of past experience: 'heat from above'

What of past 'heat' on even more serious issues:

UK democratic deficit, inequality of belonging?

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ appears to be sourcing and distributing it's 'news' more and more via social media such as FaceBook and twitter. Today these have not been kind to those who love them, as Uncurious George will testify. Doubtless ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Editors are all behind their boss?

No offence to George et al

In every team & 'theoretical' chain-of-command, we exercise trust

But we need freedom to give & take feedback, at times critical

Freedom lacking, from fear, over-load, rigidity, 'stuff happens'

Cases 'picked-up', fairly or not, provide 'forced opportunities'

Time for even most vulnerable to take courage, to win day

I'm really confused about why a manager would want to demonstrate 'undue interest' ...

Isn't 'undue interest' the kind of thing that caused Barings Bank to collapse?

"³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ regrets dropped Savile story"

Yes now having been caught, exposed but what about before?Swept under the rug, forgotten.Compare to surreptitiuosly intercepting dead girl's voice mail.Reminds of coverup paedophilic priests.Priests of news rule ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ in its age of info empire.Absolute power corrupts absolutely.³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ should be broken up.Too big,too powerful.

Where did the phrase "stepping aside" re. the departure of the Newsnight Editor Peter Rippon come from? Is he "suspended"?

"Stepping aside" suggests Rippon went of his own freewill. "Suspended" is something that happens to people and they generally don't have much say in the matter.

So what do we have here? More obfuscation? Did he jump or was he pushed?

Since when have journalists been trained in assessing evidence in relation criminal proceedings. Why wasn't all of the evidence given over to the police? The people who knew about these events and did nothing should be ashamed of themselves and hang their heads in shame. This stinks of protecting their positions at all costs.

There is little point now in having this blog open and people have made their point on HYS. This should topic should have been on HYS but the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has seen fit to bury it elsewhere.

Referring to allegations of abuse , Ester Rantzen said ...they were just rumours....

Rantzen failed to pursue, report, discuss or otherwise involve herself in addressing what was or was not going on...So she failed to listen to the children......which is contrary to her Child Line

The blog was not to my knowledge a statement made under oath to a court of law. it was an attempt to explain a complex decision taken. I'm sure Peter Rippon did not imagine that every word would be analysed in detail. The 'inaccuracies' highlighted would be comical in their insignificance were it not for the fact that they seem likely to lose him his job.

An organization's culture starts from the top down. What behavior is acceptable and what isn't. And what people dare not speak about. Newcomers learn quickly. The excuse that one didn't know doesn't work. Why wouldn't they know. How easy is it to keep a secret in a large organization.Not credible.How far and where else does this go?

Why does the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ continue to place grinning images of Savile on the home page? He quite clearly a sick and depraved monster - why use images which try to portray him as something he quite clearly was not!

Rippon, Mitchell & Boaden all have to go over this. Trust and integrity are at the heart of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and they have all failed the line of command. Rippon is damned by the Editors Blogs. Steve Mitchell, Head of the News Programmes Division is a repeat offender with form over the Gilligan Affair. Helen Boaden as ex-editor of File on 4 should be ashamed. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Journalism needs a leader we can trust.

This oudious man must be stripped of his knighthood as he is a total disgrace to humanity and I like many others are asking for images of him not to be shown.

It's a pity none of his disgraceful abuse came to light before his death or he would have ended his days where he belonged - behind bars.

sieuarlu @85
"An organisation's culture…"
MAY start & move "from top down"

BUT, whether from penthouse or basement, the fundamental & practical issue here is the general culture, OUR culture... supportive - or not - of EACH of us

Worryingly, much 'naive' focus 'on Savile', or 'above all on victims', as if 'hope of prevention' just 'telling the stories'...

Utterly to neglect 'power relations' well we know 'corrupting' lives of all, of Savile and victims, of Fear & Greed - oblivious or not - from 'Mammon' through 'the long political chain' from Patten & Entwhistle & Jordan, to Rippon & Paxman & McKean

Thank heavens Rippon dropped item.Thinking back to christmas 2011,Trail package featured all Christmas stars singing 'Consider yourself one of the family'. Queen's Christmas message centred on family.Everyone's favourite ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ uncle Jimmy Savile a monster. Dec.2nd.'heads up' adumbrated not just technical probs of dropping Savile tribute, but scandal ruining christmas worse than Grinch.Phew.

The public 'shock' at this scandal is nauseating. We all bear responsibility for creating a culture which tolerates this behaviour. Girls seen as 'up for it' for wearing short skirts, groomed girls not seen as victims, beliefs that women lie about rape, stories viewed as unnewsworthy if the sources are female. These scandals will continue until women are treated as equal citizens.

'We all bear responsibility for creating a culture which tolerates this behaviour'
Can't and wouldn't presume to speak for any others, but I fear I don't wish to share in your attempt to spread this around. Anymore than I am happy that the Trust Chairman seems to feel his role is to warn anyone off holding the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ to account with things like 'questions'.

Seasofchange @92
"all bear responsibly"

"These scandals" and worse, of slavery and war and planetary suicide, "will continue" until all are "treated as equal citizens"

Men, women, children, frail, sick, all belonging

Incomes securely equal, contributions - & protests - made & heard in conscience

Rippon, are you buying some new shoes for your long stroll into oblivion?

Seasofchange @92
"all bear responsibility"
JunkkMale @93
"don't wish to share"

Hard not to share some 'responsibility', for tolerance or creation of 'our culture', its complexities & sub-cultures

Not to ignore naivety & hypocrisy, or to wallow in mis-presentations of 'human nature', we could - should - make 'our culture' truly ours

Spreading responsibility for equal, shareable, freedom

@95 Rippon rides a motorbike so he won't have to walk.

As the number of possible victims widens, scope of the suspected number of perps increases, and government starts its own investigation, it seems since ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ wouldn't clean its own house, police will step in and do it for them.I'm hardly surprised.³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's culture of hubris, its belief in its own omniscience and omnipotence characterizes unaccountable organizations.