Lessons to learn after BBC chief's departure

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/nov/11/lessons-after-bbc-chief-departure

Version 0 of 1.

So, George Entwistle hadn't read the Guardian on Friday and no one else around him thought to point out its front-page story ('Mistaken identity' led to top Tory abuse claim, 9 November), which comprehensively demolished the Newsnight story implicating the "former senior Tory politician" Lord McAlpine in allegations of child abuse. The one consolation for the BBC, as Tories hover round sensing blood, is that this admission by Entwistle in his fraught Today interview rather undercuts the stereotypical Conservative assumption that the BBC is run by "Guardian-reading pinko lefties". If only it was, the corporation might be in slightly less trouble. Giles Oakley London

• In the runup to the BBC's current difficulties, and long before Mr Entwistle's appointment and highly regrettable departure, the corporation was engaged in a process to cut its salaries bill. Among those forced out were many journalists with depth and experience. As the lawyers' bills mount, I fear the BBC might be finding out the true cost of cheapness. David Beake (Former member of the NUJ National Executive), Wymondham, Norfolk

• It is ridiculous that the BBC director general has to resign over bad journalism that didn't in itself do any harm, but the head of News Corp remains determinedly entrenched after criminal journalism that ruined lives. Print media should be held to the same standard as broadcasters, and I hope Leveson takes a strong lead in that direction. Paul Harper London