Under-pressure BBC boss getting tough after controversies

The previous weeks have put critical stress on Tim Davie’s management. At this time, I noticed that up shut. For a normally very slick performer, he seemed shaken. I wished to know if he had thought of resigning within the face of the latest controversies. He stated he had not, however admitted it had been “a really, very robust time”.Earlier Davie had launched the BBC’s annual report on Zoom, with journalists remotely asking questions within the Q&A field and no cameras allowed into the room for us to report and use his solutions. We have been contemplating making clear to our audiences that – on such an necessary day for the BBC – no person from the highest of the company was being put in entrance of a digicam to be interviewed on a spread of points, which have been each of public curiosity and particularly related to licence payment payers.Hours later, Mr Davie agreed to a face-to-face interview, which befell simply after it was introduced that the BBC and Banijay UK weren’t renewing John Torode’s contract as MasterChef presenter.I normally interview the director common at occasions of disaster for the BBC. That is the best way these items work. To be honest to him, he at all times makes it clear that my job is to ask him questions with out concern or favour. He is aware of a part of his job is to be held to account.However it’s been a really bumpy time, even by BBC requirements. The Gaza documentary with a baby narrator who later turned out to be the son of a Hamas official, one other movie about docs in Gaza pulled earlier than transmission, points across the BBC livestreaming the punk duo Bob Vylan’s set at Glastonbury and the rising controversy surrounding MasterChef – all land at his door. His management has been known as into query, not least not too long ago by the tradition secretary. She known as it a “sequence of catastrophic failures”.It was apparent immediately it had been taking its toll. As director common, he is insistent and wholehearted in his defence of the BBC and his function main that. However as a person, you’ll be able to sense the final weeks have been testing.His interview model is to look straight on the individual doing the interview. He normally measures his phrases rigorously, though immediately, on a few factors he was rather less fluent. A few of his solutions – for instance when he was speaking about he and his staff making “clear, sturdy selections” within the face of challenges – sounded a bit rehearsed.Nonetheless, an sudden by-product of him sounding much less assured was that he additionally managed to sound, at occasions, extra human. The final week has clearly left him pissed off and for as soon as, he let that present. There was no hiding it when he stated moderately plainly: “I felt stress”.It brings to thoughts the latest public debate about Rachel Reeves and her tears within the Commons. No matter we consider the selections made by these in public service, what influence does it have on them as folks when they’re underneath such intense scrutiny. Ought to that even matter?However they do not name him Teflon Tim for nothing – and he survives, for the second. Even when he’s wounded.The BBC immediately was signalling it’s getting a grip on dangerous behaviour within the office. It is one thing Samir Shah, chairman of the BBC, promised after the Huw Edwards scandal. Now Gregg Wallace is gone, John Torode is gone. Three workers members have been requested to “step again” from their roles after Glastonbury. And we have now learnt that a number of folks have been sacked in gentle of the BBC’s tradition overview.The clear messaging: Teflon Tim and his staff are getting robust.