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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| James Harding quits as BBC head of news | James Harding quits as BBC head of news |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| James Harding is to stand down as director of news and current affairs at the BBC, one of the most influential jobs in British journalism. | James Harding is to stand down as director of news and current affairs at the BBC, one of the most influential jobs in British journalism. |
| Harding, who edited the Times before joining the BBC in 2013, said he would leave early next year to start a media company that had a “distinct approach to the news and a clear point of view”. | Harding, who edited the Times before joining the BBC in 2013, said he would leave early next year to start a media company that had a “distinct approach to the news and a clear point of view”. |
| In a note to staff, Harding added: “There is some journalism that the BBC, for all its brilliance, can’t, and probably shouldn’t, do. And that’s what I want to explore: I am going to start a new media company with a distinct approach to the news and a clear point of view. | In a note to staff, Harding added: “There is some journalism that the BBC, for all its brilliance, can’t, and probably shouldn’t, do. And that’s what I want to explore: I am going to start a new media company with a distinct approach to the news and a clear point of view. |
| “I know I will enjoy the chance to do some more journalism of my own and, at such a critical time, I’m seriously excited about the prospect of building a new venture in news.” | “I know I will enjoy the chance to do some more journalism of my own and, at such a critical time, I’m seriously excited about the prospect of building a new venture in news.” |
| Harding is understood to have backers for the new project and that it will focus on analysis rather than news. | |
| The 48-year-old was considered, internally and externally, to be one of the frontrunners to eventually succeed Tony Hall as director general of the BBC. His departure leaves James Purnell, the BBC director of radio and a former Labour cabinet minister, as the favourite. | |
| BBC sources insisted Harding’s departure was not connected to any internal clash about the director general role and that Hall intended to be in charge for years to come. | |
| Another source said they suspected Harding wanted to “rediscover his voice” after being at the brunt of criticism from across the political spectrum about the BBC’s news coverage during his four-and-a-half years in the role. | |
| Critics of the BBC have claimed its coverage of the Scottish independence referendum, Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn was biased. | |
| Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, accused the BBC of “shamelessly anti-Brexit coverage”, while the BBC Trust ruled in January that a report about Corbyn’s views on shoot-to-kill policies breached impartiality and accuracy guidelines, a decision Harding opposed. | |
| Julian Knight, a Conservative MP and member of the influential digital, culture, media and sport select committee, said: “Harding always felt an odd match for BBC News and his departure statement, where he says he wants to pursue stories which BBC News wouldn’t do, reflects that. The important thing is that in the post-Ofcom regulation world the BBC doubles down on impartiality and sets out to retain its position as a gold standard for news and current affairs.” | |
| This year, Harding has also had to deal with a series of pay rows at BBC News, including the pay gap between male and female presenters and a shortfall for BBC World Service staff compared with staff in the rest of news. | This year, Harding has also had to deal with a series of pay rows at BBC News, including the pay gap between male and female presenters and a shortfall for BBC World Service staff compared with staff in the rest of news. |
| The BBC is in the process of reviewing the pay of its leading on-air journalists as well as reviewing terms and conditions for all staff. Harding, who is paid £340,000 a year, was heavily involved in these reviews and was also trying to cut £80m from the news budget. | The BBC is in the process of reviewing the pay of its leading on-air journalists as well as reviewing terms and conditions for all staff. Harding, who is paid £340,000 a year, was heavily involved in these reviews and was also trying to cut £80m from the news budget. |
| Despite these pressures, Harding said the BBC had “renewed our reputation for responsible, powerful journalism”. | Despite these pressures, Harding said the BBC had “renewed our reputation for responsible, powerful journalism”. |
| He said: “We have our shortcomings, no doubt. But, in these fast-changing times and on the back of a crisis five years ago, I am proud to have worked for BBC News as we renewed our reputation for responsible, powerful journalism: agenda-setting coverage of politics, business and the society we live in; current affairs exposing controversial issues with discipline and determination; the best and bravest international reporting, when big moments in history unfold and when under-reported stories desperately need to be told.” | He said: “We have our shortcomings, no doubt. But, in these fast-changing times and on the back of a crisis five years ago, I am proud to have worked for BBC News as we renewed our reputation for responsible, powerful journalism: agenda-setting coverage of politics, business and the society we live in; current affairs exposing controversial issues with discipline and determination; the best and bravest international reporting, when big moments in history unfold and when under-reported stories desperately need to be told.” |
| Hall said Harding had left a “great legacy” as head of news at the BBC. | Hall said Harding had left a “great legacy” as head of news at the BBC. |
| “James has done an incredible job during a hugely complex and momentous period of British and world history,” he added. “He has led the BBC’s coverage through two referendums, two general elections, an astonishing US presidential election, not to mention a series of extraordinary events at home and abroad. | “James has done an incredible job during a hugely complex and momentous period of British and world history,” he added. “He has led the BBC’s coverage through two referendums, two general elections, an astonishing US presidential election, not to mention a series of extraordinary events at home and abroad. |
| “He supervised lasting changes to programmes and services while also appointing a range of new editors, on-air and off, including the appointment of the BBC’s first female political editor. James has launched slow news and Reality Check to counter fake news. During his time as director, the World Service has started to launch a dozen new language services with the extra money secured from government. The BBC has revolutionised its digital storytelling, taking the lead in news for mobile devices. These are significant achievements.” | “He supervised lasting changes to programmes and services while also appointing a range of new editors, on-air and off, including the appointment of the BBC’s first female political editor. James has launched slow news and Reality Check to counter fake news. During his time as director, the World Service has started to launch a dozen new language services with the extra money secured from government. The BBC has revolutionised its digital storytelling, taking the lead in news for mobile devices. These are significant achievements.” |
| The BBC will consider internal and external candidates to replace Harding, who worked at the Financial Times for 12 years before joining the Times in 2006 as business and city editor. Hall said he will appoint Harding’s successor by the end of the year. The favourites for the role include Francesca Unsworth, Harding’s deputy and the head of the World Service. |