Upcoming Events

The Dyson Report - history lesson or a future crisis for the BBC?

On the 14th of May 2021 the BBC published Lord Dyson’s report on the circumstances surrounding Martin Bashir’s interview with Princess Diana.

The findings were excoriating and undermined trust in the BBC’s probity along with the judgement of its then senior management.

For over 16 years, Princess Diana, the then wife of the Prince of Wales and our future Queen, was relentlessly chased by the UK ‘Red Tops' and the international paparazzi. On 20th November 1995, the now notorious Panorama programme blew the lid off any tabloid story, magazine gossip or over the fence chatter.

Wind forward 26 years -  and we now know the interview was obtained, in part, by a deception instigated by Panorama’s then ‘bright new thing’ - Martin Bashir.

 What does the astonishing story mean for the BBC in 2021, as it faces falling revenues, increasing competition and a Conservative government.  And, above all, a new round of negotiating its finances?

Will the story hand the BBC’s critics the advantage they’ve been looking for - or will the 'Pandemic bonus' let them off?

To understand the BBC’s situation and options we’ve assembled a panel of media experts with in depth and inside knowledge of UK's media landscape.

Our Panel:

• Alan Rusbridger - former editor of The Guardian

• Dorothy Byrne - former Head of News and Current Affairs at Channel 4
  
  
  

• Damian Collins MP - Ex Chair of the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.

• Phil Harding - former Head of Editorial Policy at the BBC.

 Our Chair for the evening:

• James Ball - the Global Editor at The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. 

TICKETS

Please note: 
Entry tickets are  £10 each which helps cover our costs.
We will be making a number of free tickets available for students and anyone currently un-waged.

The Media Society is a volunteer run Charity committed to open access for all our Media themed  events.
 
ZOOM waiting room open at 5.45pm.
Conversation starts at 6.00pm prompt.