- Title: 'Question of culture' at BBC over Diana interview failings, says chairman
- Date: 24th May 2021
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - JULY 1, 1997) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** BRITAIN'S PRINCESS OF WALES, DIANA, ON HER 36TH BIRTHDAY, ARRIVING FOR TATE GALLERY CENTENARY GALA DINNER WEARING A LONG BLACK EVENING GOWN, GREETED BY OFFICIAL, POSES FOR CAMERAS, WALKS UP GALLERY STEPS, AND PAUSES TO POSE AGAIN
- Embargoed: 7th June 2021 15:40
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe,Royals
- Reuters ID: LVA005EEBNDQF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:The chairman of the BBC said on Monday (May 24) there was a "question of culture" at the broadcaster after a damning report into how it secured a 1995 interview with Princess Diana exposed failures at the heart of the publicly-funded organisation.
The 65-year-old, who took over as head of the BBC's board in February said there was "no doubt" that the journalist in question, Martin Bashir, employed ethically "unacceptable" practices to secure the landmark interview for the BBC's "Panorama" programme.
However, he also said the BBC's review into those practices had failed, pointing to questions regarding "governance, accountability and scrutiny" at the broadcaster.
In a statement on Monday, Sharp's board said it had launched an investigation into BBC culture and practices.
The Dyson Report, released on Thursday (May 20), found that Bashir lied and deceived Diana that she was being spied upon to persuade her to agree to the interview, in which she disclosed details of her failed marriage to Prince Charles.
The new investigation will also look into the reasons Bashir was rehired by the BBC in 2016, despite existing questions into the Diana interview.
Following his return, the 58-year-old worked as the religious affairs editor before a promotion to the religious editor.
He resigned earlier in May due citing health reasons.
The British government said on Monday that the BBC must act fast to restore trust, echoing Sharp's sentiment of a requirement for cultural change at the organisation.
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