A current scandal in the UK has been giving me pause. A BBC presenter Jimmy Savile died last year. Savile was a much loved almost revered man, an eccentric who raised hundreds of millions for charity.
Recently, the story changed. It came to light, gradually but inexorably, that Savile was one of the most prolific paedophiles in history. He used his trusted position at the BBC and his proximity to the young and impressionable to commit these foul crimes for more than 40 years. So far more than 300 victims have come forward.
The BBC has not acted well over this, there have been apparent cover-ups, the management has been changing it’s story but the overall thrust of things seems to be that they are now trying to do the right thing.
The most encouraging thing for me is this. The biggest critics and investigators of the BBC and it’s management have been it’s own news teams. The BBC rank and file are remorseless in publicly examining the behaviour of senior management up to and including the Director General. The fresh breeze of public scrutiny is clearing out the toxic fumes.
How different from the handling of emerging cases in DubLand. When the culture is sealed lips, say nothing and we are always right even when wrong. The toxins just build up, the stink gets worse and there is nothing to clear away the filth. God, I’m glad I’ve turned “worldly.