Pressure on the BBC to address allegations that its bosses covered up
sexual abuse claims leveled at one of its former TV stars mounted on Monday
after British Prime Minister David Cameron said the broadcaster had serious
questions to answer.
The premier's intervention came as the editor of the internationally
renowned media organization's flagship "Newsnight" show stepped aside
after admitting he had given an "inaccurate" account of why the BBC
had axed its own expose of the alleged abuse of underage girls by the late
Jimmy Savile. "These are serious questions. They need to be
answered," Cameron said. The scandal has engulfed BBC at a time when it
remains under pressure from its critics - which include much of the
conservative media - who have queried whether it should still be funded via an
annual licence fee paid by the public.
Critics like Rupert Murdoch's son James, have said the licence fee gives
the BBC an unfair edge over private competitors. The BBC is already cutting its
workforce and output after Cameron's government imposed deep spending cuts and
any loss of public trust could prove an issue in future discussions over
funding and the licence fee. While Savile, who died last year, was little known
beyond Britain, the eccentric, cigar-chomping one-time DJ was one of the most
recognized TV personalities on British TV in the 1970s-80s hosting children's
and pop shows.
Times of India
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