Editorial independence of the BBC – letter from the Chairman of the BBC Trust

Date: 24.01.2009     Last updated: 23.09.2014 at 09.53
Category: Impartiality
Sir Michael Lyons, Chairman of the BBC Trust, sent the following letter to Mark Thompson, BBC Director-General, on 24 January 2009.

Dear Mark,

I'm writing in connection with your decision not to agree to the request from the Disasters Emergency Committee for a BBC television appeal for funds for its Gaza crisis appeal. As you explained when you told the Trust of your decision on Wednesday, this is a difficult and complex matter, in which a fine balance has to be struck. It is your job as editor-in-chief of the BBC to make such decisions and to be held accountable for them.

Our job as Trustees is to give you the space to make such decisions and to protect your ability to do so. The Trust makes no judgement at this point in time on the editorial issues involved. It would be wrong for us to do as we may, at some future date, have to hear any appeal should complaints be made about your decision.

I am, however, concerned that the level and tone of some of the political comment your decision has attracted is coming close to constituting undue interference in the editorial independence of the BBC. The Trust has a duty under the Charter to protect the independence of the BBC and I want you to know that we will do everything in our power to ensure that you are given the space to make the editorial decisions you feel, after due consideration, are right in the circumstances.

I am releasing this letter to the media.

Yours

Michael