Portal:BBC/BBC news archive 2007

This page is an archive of previous news stories from the Portal:BBC/BBC news page that appeared in 2007. For news stories from 2006 see the 2006 Archive. -
 * 2 January 2007 - Establishment of BBC Trust

The BBC Governors have been replaced by the new BBC Trust, part of a plan by the Government to make the corporation more accountable to the public and give greater value for licence fee payers. The new Trust came into force on 1 January 2007, and is led by current Acting Chairwoman Dr Chitra Bharucha.

BBC Trust homepage

The new BBC Journalism group incorporating BBC News, BBC Sport, BBC Global News and the BBC Nations and Regions is to be led by Dominic Coles who has been named Chief Operating Officer.
 * 5 January 2007 - Dominic Coles named Chief Operating Officer of BBC Journalism

Formerly Director of Sports Rights and Finance for the BBC, Coles will sit on both the Journalism and Finance Boards and will retain responsibility for negotiating sports right as well as his position of Finance Director at BBC Sport. He will report directly to Mark Byford, Head of BBC Journalism and Deputy Director-General of the BBC

At the announcement, Coles said "I'm thrilled to be taking on this new role and the exciting responsibilities which come with it.

"For anyone with a passion for news, current affairs and sport, this is a dream job. It's also a responsible one given how news and sport remain fundamental to the BBC's ability to connect with its audiences in the digital age."

BBC Press release

Newly released documents from meetings with the BBC Governors and Director-General Greg Dyke have shown how Dyke was effectively dismissed.
 * 14 January 2007 - Dyke resignation controversy

Governors were noted as stating that for Dyke to remain in the position would be "untenable" and weaken the authority of the board.

Dyke had originally offered to resign following the resignation by Chairman of the Governors Gavyn Davies. He had informed the board that he would only remain at the post with their full support though after deliberations, the Governors ruled that he should indeed resign.

Upon hearing the decision, Dyke withdrew his offer to resign, deciding instead to "[invite] the board to dismiss him or maintain him in his post". The board reiterated the decision made before that for Dyke to remain would be impossible.

After accepting the decision of the board, Dyke resigned though wrote days later to say "I believe I have been mistreated and I want to be reinstated."

BBC News Online coverage

The funeral of broadcaster Magnús Magnússon has taken place at Baldernock Church, near Glasgow.
 * 19 January 2007 - Funeral of Magnús Magnússon

Magnusson was famous as the presenter of Mastermind between 1972 and 1997 where he created the now infamous catchphrase "I've started so I'll finish".

Magnusson maintained a high level of interest throughout his life in his Icelandic ancestry; though he lived in Scotland, he never took British citizenship. He was the author of The Vikings, a popular history of the Viking era.

He was awarded an honorary knighthood (Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1989.

Magnússon was, for a time, the President of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

He became Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University in 2002.

Magnus Magnusson is survived by his wife and four children. A memorial service for him is to be held in Glasgow at a later date.

Obituary from BBC News


 * 25 January 2007 - BBC award wins

The BBC's flagship television channel BBC One has been named Channel of the year at the Broadcast awards.

The channel was praised by judges who said: "At a time when all major terrestrial broadcasters are facing questions about how fast and far their share of viewing will fall, BBC One has shown it can deliver mass entertainment."

Peter Fincham, Controller of BBC One said: "I am really delighted that BBC One did so well at the Broadcast Awards. I'd like to thank the many many people who contributed to a successful year on the channel and these awards reflect the variety and strength of the programming."

Other wins for the BBC in other categories included:
 * How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? – Best Entertainment Programme;
 * Extras – Best Comedy;
 * World Cup Final coverage – Best Sports Programme;
 * Planet Earth: From Pole To Pole – Best Documentary Series;
 * Charlie & Lola – Best Children's Programme;
 * Bleak House – Best Drama Series/Serial (with Life On Mars also highly commended);
 * Life On Mars – Best New Programme.

BBC Worldwide also received an award for Best International Programme Sales, recognising the popularity of Dancing with the Stars, the international version of the popular British Strictly Come Dancing programme.

BBC Press Office release

The BBC has said it has concerns as to the whereabouts of Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston following several unsuccessful attempts to contact him.
 * 13 March 2007 - Alan Johnston Missing

Reports that Johnston had been kidnapped by gunmen were not commented on by the corporation though the Palestinian Interior Minister Sayeed Sayyam said the BBC correspondent's disappearance was a "criminal act".

Johnston has been Gaza Correspondent for the BBC for three years, previously having been a correspondent in Uzbekista and Afghanistan after joining the BBC World Service in 1991.

An announcement made at 09:30 UK time on 13 March 2007 stated, "We still have no confirmation of the whereabouts of BBC Gaza Correspondent Alan Johnston.

"We are working closely with the Palestinian authorities and others to establish the facts surrounding the situation.

"We are keeping Alan’s family fully informed of developments."

Johnston was a week short at disappearance of the completion of his time as Gaza Correspondent.

Latest BBC Press Office statement

The whereabouts and condition of BBC journalist Alan Johnston are still unconfirmed, over six weeks since his disappearance on his way home from his BBC office in Gaza. Reports at the time suggested he had been kidnapped by armed gunmen.
 * 26 April 2007 - BBC holds rallies for Johnston

Vigils around the world have been held continually, with a special day of action by the BBC held on the day of his fourth week in captivity. For the first time, BBC News, Al-Jazeera English, Sky News and CNN joined together to broadcast a special programme, presented by Johnston's BBC colleague, Jeremy Bowen. Journalists and other colleagues of Johnston's also held vigils, with BBC Director-General Mark Thompson travelling to Gaza to call for his release and take part in a special press conference.

Journalists and other staff at all the BBC's main regional news bureaux in the UK have held vigils, as well as their colleagues stationed around the world, with speeches made calling for Johnston's safe release.

BBC holds rallies for Alan Johnston

Address to gathering for Alan Johnston at BBC Television Centre

Alan Johnston: letter from father Graham

Alan Johnston petition tops 50,000 signatures

A video showing BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston has been released by the Palestinian Army of Islam, the group holding him hostage.
 * 2 June 2007 - Video of Johnston Released

Mr Johnston, who appears dressed in red, sat in front of a black curtain. He says that his captors are treating him well and that he is in good health.

Mr Johnston's family in Scotland released a statement to say they were "very pleased to see Alan and to hear him say that he is not being ill-treated - although it is clearly distressing for us to see him in these circumstances".

The Foreign Office also released a statement saying "We condemn the release of videos like this, which can only add to the distress of Alan Johnston's family and friends."

The BBC said "We are studying the video very carefully. We have been working very closely with Alan's family for the past 81 days. This is a highly distressing time for them and for his friends and his colleagues. We repeat our call for his immediate release."

Over 100,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Alan Johnston's release. Mr Johnston, aged 45, was taken hostage on the 12th March 2007.

Video released of BBC's Johnston

Alan Johnston: Statement from family

Statement from BBC News: Alan Johnston, BBC Gaza Correspondent

100,000 sign Alan Johnston petition


 * 13 July 2007 - BBC apologises to Queen

The BBC has apologised to Queen Elizabeth II and photographer, Annie Leibovitz, after a trailer for a documentary suggested she had walked out of a portrait sitting when the photographer asked her to remove her crown.

The trailer shows a clip of the photographer telling the Queen, "I think it will look better without the crown because the garter robe is so..." The Queen responded with "Less dressy! What do you think this is?" The following clip shows the Queen walking down a corridor saying, "I'm not changing anything. I've had enough dressing like this, thank you very much."

It has since been clarified that this second clip shows the Queen arriving at the sitting, not departing.

In a statement the BBC said, "In this trailer there is a sequence that implies that the Queen left a sitting prematurely. This was not the case and the actual sequence of events was mis-represented. The BBC would like to apologise to both the Queen and Annie Leibovitz for any upset this may have caused."

The BBC blamed a production error for the mistake, saying, "This assembly was never intended to be seen by the public or the press. Unfortunately, this assembly was given in error to the BBC personnel who were preparing the BBC One autumn launch tape."

The company responsible for the editing of the documentary, RDF Media, also apologized to the Queen. Peter Fincham, current controller of BBC One, says the error is 'no reason to resign'.

BBC error 'no reason to resign'

BBC lied about Queen's 'tantrum

BBC Apology to Queen

The BBC's Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston has been freed from captivity after 114 days.
 * 14 July 2007 - Alan Johnston Released

He has now been reunited with his family following his return to the UK. Mr Johnston, 45, travelled to the family home in Lochgoil, Argyll, after arriving at London's Heathrow Airport.

Speaking alongside his family, he said: "Coming home has just never felt so very good as it does today."

He was handed over to Palestinian militant movement Hamas in Gaza City on Wednesday 14 July 2007 after being held hostage for 114 days by the Army of Islam group.

He had been taken at gunpoint on 12 March while on his way home in Gaza. Over 100,000 people had signed an online petition calling for Alan Johnston's release.

Alan Johnston Freed

Timeline of Events

BBC's Johnston describes relief

A House of Lords all-party select committee has criticised the process that lead to the appointment of BBC Trust Chairman Sir Michael Lyons on 1 May 2007.
 * 3 August 2007 - Lords criticise Lyons apppointment

The report claimed that Government Ministers had too much influence over the final appointment, with "considerable opportunity" for them to be involved in the process. "Ministers appointed the selection panel, ministers were allowed to change the shortlist of candidates and ultimately ministers were able to choose between four candidates who passed the interview process," the report said.

When the appointment of Lyons was announced in April critics said appointing a chairman when Parliament was in recess would fuel accusations of cronyism.

Before getting the job at the BBC Lyons carried out three jobs for Prime Minister Gordon Brown, including a review of the council tax system, which was later cancelled.

Lyons himself dismissed the allegations, pledging "absolute independence and impartiality".

Government Ministers 'influenced' Chairman's appointment

Response to report by BBC Trust

Lyons appointed BBC Chairman

The presenter of the BBC's Newsnight programme, Jeremy Paxman, has criticised his employer as well as the direction of television as a whole in a speech given to the Edinburgh International Television Festival following a string of recent controversies.
 * Paxman criticises BBC

In the keynote speech at the festival he claimed that the television licence fee, which is paid by the public to fund the BBC, is "a tax on the ownership of a television" which he said was 50 years out of date.

Recent deceptions uncovered across the industry, including faked phone-ins on BBC programmes such as Blue Peter and Children in Need, had been handled in a "preposterous" way, he said.

He also questioned whether his own Newsnight programme will survive if the BBC proceeds with threatened cutbacks.

The journalist added that too many senior executives were "less concerned with content and a lot more concerned with bottom lines".

He also criticised judgements of news editors in deciding upon the significance of stories. He claimed that "The problem is that news is determined not by its importance but by its availability. How else can we explain the decision to interrupt reporting of floods in Britain to go live to America breathlessly, to cover Paris Hilton's release from jail?" He also referred to a media "circus" which had gathered in Southern Portugal following the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann, saying "everyone was there because everyone else was there".

Paxman voices concerns over BBC

Jeremy Paxman: The James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture: Read the complete transcript