monitoring media developments
Were attacks on BBC over Sugar wholly
proportionate to the threat involved?
whether running the programme at all was normal risk to the impartiality, integrity and
compatible with the advisory role. independence of the BBC in relation to the
It was announced that the ICT entrepreneur broadcasting of The Apprentice and Junior Appren-
was to be elevated to the Lords, where he tice next year.”
would take the Labour Whip. To the Conserva- Jeremy Hunt felt fully justified in having
tives, this relationship was at the least un- maintained pressure on the BBC to resolve
healthy and potentially a major conflict. the issue. “The BBC Trust has admitted what
The BBC’s initial response was that there we have known all along, that Alan Sugar’s
was a clear framework of rules to cover such Government appointment risks the impartial-
situations, and that there was no question of ity, integrity and independence of the BBC.
the new peer using his programmes to pro- “Whatever restrictions the BBC seeks to put
mote Labour policy. on his political activities Lord Sugar is taking
the Labour whip and has an official Govern-
Changing position
ment role. It’s amazing that the Trust has there-
fore not explained why licence fee payers
This did not satisfy critics who lodged a for- should fund a programme hosted by someone
mal complaint made about Lord Sugar’s who will help formulate, promote, and endorse
potentially conflicting roles. The BBC Trust Government policies.
has now accepted that “There may have been “The Trust has disappointingly missed an
a public perception that the BBC’s impartial- opportunity to show it has teeth when it comes
ity, integrity and independence had been un- to enforcing impartiality obligations.”
dermined.” The saga will probably disappear into the
“ . . . The combination of Sir Alan’s roles as footnotes of parliamentary history if Lord
star of a BBC entertainment show, Government Sugar were to give up his role as Industry ‘czar’
Adviser and peer, with the closeness to the before the election; an option that seems in-
next general election, poses a greater than creasingly likely.
According to Hunt, it is important for Ministers to concentrate on stimulating an environment in which
all aspects of the arts can thrive while remaining neutral about the sectors that should attract funding.
36
The Informed Executive
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