Britain, Broadcasting, Government, Media, Society

On the BBC and its day of shame

THE BBC & THE BASHIR SCANDAL

IT would be remiss of Scotland Yard not to read Lord Dyson’s report before deciding if crimes had been committed.

If anyone in the BBC is suspected of any offences, they must be properly and thoroughly investigated.

Note, too, that rather than the debacle involving a single rogue reporter or department, the tentacles of impropriety stretched to the very top of the corporation. The deceit, lies and cover-ups have existed for decades.

Lord Dyson, who rightly left no stone unturned, finds Martin Bashir guilty of “deceit… and dishonesty”. He acted in serious breach of BBC ethical guidelines. Every bit as shameful is the corporation’s egregious attempt to cover up the entire scandal.

Since its inception nearly a century ago, the BBC has haughtily assumed the moral high ground. Richly funded by a torrent of public money, it appears to look down its nose at what it considers its grubbier rivals in TV, radio and newspapers. Yet, behind the sermonising, the broadcaster has been exposed as nothing more than a pious hypocrite.

Lies. Deception. Manipulation. Forgery. Fraud. These were the tactics used by the BBC – and then covered up.

My view is one of disgraceful obfuscation and denial.

The panjandrums implicated have, so far, escaped untouched, enjoying gold-plated pensions and sinecures. The corporation’s former director-general, Lord Hall, sits pretty as chairman of the National Gallery. The Culture Secretary, for one, who appointed him to the prestigious post, should consider removing him as his integrity is now called into serious question following Lord Dyson’s damning and excoriating report.

These issues with the BBC are not going to go away until they are fully addressed both by the Government and the Corporation itself.

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Arts, Health, Psychology

Resilience: ‘Find Your Calling’

SENSE OF PURPOSE

A sense of purpose can enable us to overcome challenges which might otherwise overwhelm us. It can give us the determination to keep going, despite discomfort. This is best summed up by a quote from the philosopher Nietzsche: “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” To find your purpose, identify what you’re drawn to. Which moments make you feel authentic, as if you are doing something you were truly made for?

Perhaps you have experienced this feeling when organising or being involved in a charity event, nursing a sick animal, or creating a work of art. You may have also experienced “flow”, which is a state in which you are so immersed in what you’re doing that time seems to disappear. Look at what gives your life meaning and trust what your heart tells you. A strong sense of purpose will fill you with motivation and enthusiasm and help you to transcend the ups and downs of life.

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