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BBC announces restructuring of senior current affairs position BBC announces restructuring of senior current affairs position
(4 months later)
The BBC is to split its most senior current affairs role as part of an effort by BBC director general Tony Hall to put more 'oomph" into programmes such as Panorama.The BBC is to split its most senior current affairs role as part of an effort by BBC director general Tony Hall to put more 'oomph" into programmes such as Panorama.
Clive Edwards, who is currently the BBC's executive editor and commissioning editor for TV current affairs, becomes commissioner for UK current affairs under the changes announced to staff on Wednesday.Clive Edwards, who is currently the BBC's executive editor and commissioning editor for TV current affairs, becomes commissioner for UK current affairs under the changes announced to staff on Wednesday.
While Edwards retains responsibility for commissioning, a new programme-making role, head of TV current affairs, will be created, reporting to BBC News head of programmes, Ceri Thomas.While Edwards retains responsibility for commissioning, a new programme-making role, head of TV current affairs, will be created, reporting to BBC News head of programmes, Ceri Thomas.
The change is the latest manifestation of Hall's effort to bulk up the corporation's current affairs output.The change is the latest manifestation of Hall's effort to bulk up the corporation's current affairs output.
Hall signalled his intent when he added "current affairs" to the job title of the corporation's recently hired news chief, former Times editor James Harding.Hall signalled his intent when he added "current affairs" to the job title of the corporation's recently hired news chief, former Times editor James Harding.
Thomas said Tony Hall wanted to make a "sharper focus on current affairs … a hallmark of his time as DG".Thomas said Tony Hall wanted to make a "sharper focus on current affairs … a hallmark of his time as DG".
He added that the "pressure on current affairs grows apace – some of it a sign of our greater ambition, some caused by the issues that arise when the BBC undertakes controversial programming".He added that the "pressure on current affairs grows apace – some of it a sign of our greater ambition, some caused by the issues that arise when the BBC undertakes controversial programming".
The BBC faced criticism over its recent edition of Panorama in which undercover reporter John Sweeney travelled to North Korea with a group of students from the London School of Economics.The BBC faced criticism over its recent edition of Panorama in which undercover reporter John Sweeney travelled to North Korea with a group of students from the London School of Economics.
Hall has stood by the programme, but admitted it would have been better if the corporation had obtained the students' written consent. It is now being investigated by the BBC Trust.Hall has stood by the programme, but admitted it would have been better if the corporation had obtained the students' written consent. It is now being investigated by the BBC Trust.
Thomas, in an email sent to staff on Wednesday, said the decision to split the role also reflected the TV current affairs department's geographical remit, based in London, Belfast and Salford.Thomas, in an email sent to staff on Wednesday, said the decision to split the role also reflected the TV current affairs department's geographical remit, based in London, Belfast and Salford.
"Our conclusion is that we're going to need additional capacity in senior management," said Thomas. "At the moment, commissioning and production is based in one job – unlike almost every other genre. It's now time to sharpen the focus and add more heft to these roles. And so, with the support of Danny Cohen, James Harding and Tony [Hall], we will be separating them out."Our conclusion is that we're going to need additional capacity in senior management," said Thomas. "At the moment, commissioning and production is based in one job – unlike almost every other genre. It's now time to sharpen the focus and add more heft to these roles. And so, with the support of Danny Cohen, James Harding and Tony [Hall], we will be separating them out.
"Together, Clive and the new hire will be able to double the amount of focus we can give [current affairs] at this level. It will give current affairs what Tony Hall calls the 'oomph' he wants us to have in this area, and it's a vote of confidence in the power of our analysis and investigative journalism."Together, Clive and the new hire will be able to double the amount of focus we can give [current affairs] at this level. It will give current affairs what Tony Hall calls the 'oomph' he wants us to have in this area, and it's a vote of confidence in the power of our analysis and investigative journalism.
Edwards is a former editor of BBC2's Money Programme, deputy editor of Panorama and executive producer of Andrew Marr's History of Modern Britain.Edwards is a former editor of BBC2's Money Programme, deputy editor of Panorama and executive producer of Andrew Marr's History of Modern Britain.
He has previously described his dual role, of overseeing in-house current-affairs production, as well as commissioning programmes, as like having a "Chinese wall down the middle" of his brain.He has previously described his dual role, of overseeing in-house current-affairs production, as well as commissioning programmes, as like having a "Chinese wall down the middle" of his brain.
Edwards currently reports to Thomas. In his new role he will work across TV and radio, and his exact reporting line is still to be confirmed.Edwards currently reports to Thomas. In his new role he will work across TV and radio, and his exact reporting line is still to be confirmed.
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