Emily Maitlis: “I don’t see what protection a charter really gives the BBC”

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Matt Brittin, the new head of the BBC, has acknowledged that difficult decisions will need to be made. But is this the best way forward?

I haven’t met him personally, but everyone says he’s a fantastic person who is giving the BBC a much-needed lift right now. I really hope the BBC thrives, and I admire that Matt, coming from outside the organization, understands the challenges ahead and is committed to public service.

Does the licence fee still make sense?

I truly value the BBC and would gladly contribute much more to support it, but I recognize that many people are facing financial difficulties right now. I rely on the BBC, especially Radio 4, which is a daily source of comfort and enjoyment. However, I also think it’s easier to work as a journalist independently, without the added scrutiny that comes with public funding and the potential for perceived bias.

The BBC’s governing document, its Charter, is currently under review. Do you believe the BBC will still be able to deliver trustworthy and unbiased news reporting?

Yes, I believe so, though it doesn’t sound very definite. A charter is only as strong as the government that supports it. If we have a major political shift and a completely different style of leadership, I don’t think the charter would offer the BBC much real protection.

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There’s been some concern about how the BBC treats women, especially after several well-known female journalists, including yourself and Mishal Husain, have decided to leave the organization.

This isn’t just a women’s issue; the BBC generally struggles to keep talented employees. I get that the organization tries to treat everyone equally, but it shouldn’t be shocked when its best people leave for better opportunities.

How can the BBC navigate incidents like the Panorama Trump editing scandal?

The BBC does its best work when it remembers who it serves – both the people who pay for TV licenses and its own staff. It’s crucial that we hear directly from reporters in the field, instead of the BBC constantly reacting defensively to sensationalized stories in the tabloids as if they’re always major emergencies.

Why do mistakes happen?

It’s easy to criticize, but consider the BBC journalists – could they still deliver quality work after losing 80% of their team? When resources are constantly reduced like that, tough decisions have to be made, and mistakes inevitably happen. Slowly chipping away at budgets while acting like everything is fine will ultimately fail. It leaves you with a significantly weakened operation, instead of one that’s strong and confident in its direction.

Authors

Michael Hodges

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2026-06-15 12:09