New BBC director general Matt Brittin has told staff the BBC “has never been more needed” but that “tough choices are unavoidable as we make savings” on his first day in the new role.
The former Google chief said the BBC was the “most trusted news provider, the cornerstone of our creative economy, and a force that brings people together,” but qualified this by adding that the broadcaster faces “very real challenges”, and he must now decide how to make £500m cuts.
Brittin has replaced Tim Davie, who resigned last year after criticism over Panorama’s editing of a speech by US president Donald Trump, who is now suing the corporation for anywhere between a billion and £10bn, depending which of Trump’s frequent proclamations you listen to – the BBC has urged US courts to dismiss Trump’s multi-billion dollar suit, as they already have other cases brought against critical news organisations in the US, arguing that the Panorama episode was never even shown in the US.
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Today (Monday May 18) is Brittin’s first official day on the job, and he told reporters this morning he was “honoured” and “humbled” to be taking on the role.
In a possible sign of things to come, given the hefty cuts expected, he was also greeted by protests from the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), whose members are on strike over shift changes at World Service radio news programmes Newshour and Weekend, and Radio 4’s The World Tonight.
The corporation is expected to make to up to 2,000 job cuts to make £500m savings in the coming months.
In an email to staff, Brittin said: “The BBC has proved throughout its history how quickly it can reinvent itself to serve the needs of audiences – from restructuring for World War II to repurposing during Covid to spinning up services in conflict zones. We need, collectively, to call on that sense of urgency now.
“That means moving with velocity and clarity. Excellence at the BBC has always been founded on great, creative storytelling and brilliant, independent journalism. Today it also means making sure we get the right stories in the right formats on the right platforms.
“We must be where audiences are, and experiment more bravely: test ideas, learn quickly and back what works. Audiences will value the fact we are listening, innovating and working hard to serve them better.
“I know change will not be easy. Tough choices are unavoidable as we make savings. We should ask ourselves, honestly: if we were inventing the BBC today, what would we do? Then respond with clarity, pace and purpose.”
