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Panorama to scale back investigative journalism in shake up Panorama to scale back investigative journalism in shake up
(about 1 hour later)
The BBC’s Panorama is to scale back its investigative journalism and feature more analysis and familiar faces such as Fiona Bruce following criticism of the corporation’s current affairs output and an exodus of senior staff.The BBC’s Panorama is to scale back its investigative journalism and feature more analysis and familiar faces such as Fiona Bruce following criticism of the corporation’s current affairs output and an exodus of senior staff.
The world’s longest running TV current affairs show has suffered falling ratings in recent years, and will now feature more news analysis programmes examining the background to big stories, fronted by high profile figures including Today host John Humphrys and Bruce, who also hosts BBC1’s Antiques Roadshow. Panorama, the world’s longest running TV current affairs show has suffered falling ratings in recent years, and will now feature more news analysis programmes examining the background to big stories, fronted by high profile figures including Today host John Humphrys and Bruce, who also hosts BBC1’s Antiques Roadshow.
The shift in editorial emphasis follows the departure of Panorama’s editor and two of its deputy editors, and the decision earlier this year to make its four dedicated reporters, John Sweeney, Shelley Jofre, Paul Kenyon and Raphael Rowe, redundant.The shift in editorial emphasis follows the departure of Panorama’s editor and two of its deputy editors, and the decision earlier this year to make its four dedicated reporters, John Sweeney, Shelley Jofre, Paul Kenyon and Raphael Rowe, redundant.
BBC current affairs insiders described it as “the most significant crisis to affect Panorama in anybody’s memory” and a “massacre”. Another senior current affairs producer said it was a “complete tragedy” for the programme, which first aired on BBC1 in 1953.BBC current affairs insiders described it as “the most significant crisis to affect Panorama in anybody’s memory” and a “massacre”. Another senior current affairs producer said it was a “complete tragedy” for the programme, which first aired on BBC1 in 1953.
“It will continue to do investigations but less often,” said a BBC current affairs source. “But if Panorama doesn’t do investigations then what is its unique selling point? The programme is supposed to be about holding people in power to account.”“It will continue to do investigations but less often,” said a BBC current affairs source. “But if Panorama doesn’t do investigations then what is its unique selling point? The programme is supposed to be about holding people in power to account.”
Another source close to the programme said: “People have been told it is not their job to right wrongs, but if Panorama is to be an institution then it has to be able scare people.”Another source close to the programme said: “People have been told it is not their job to right wrongs, but if Panorama is to be an institution then it has to be able scare people.”
Panorama has scored some significant successes in recent years including its 2011 exposé of abuse at Winterbourne View care home in south Gloucestershire, where an undercover reporter recorded secret footage of patients being abused by carers.Panorama has scored some significant successes in recent years including its 2011 exposé of abuse at Winterbourne View care home in south Gloucestershire, where an undercover reporter recorded secret footage of patients being abused by carers.
But its ratings have been in long-term decline, down 20% last year to an average of 2.3 million viewers.But its ratings have been in long-term decline, down 20% last year to an average of 2.3 million viewers.
One programme, an hour-long “cash for questions” scoop about the then Tory MP Patrick Mercer, was watched by just 1.3 million viewers despite boasting one of the biggest political scoops of 2013. One programme, an hour-long “cash for questions” scoop about the then Tory MP Patrick Mercer, was watched by only 1.3 million viewers despite boasting one of the biggest political scoops of 2013.
A critical report by the BBC Trust earlier this year said the corporation’s current affairs output, including Panorama, was failing to stand out and was being outgunned by Channel 4’s Dispatches.A critical report by the BBC Trust earlier this year said the corporation’s current affairs output, including Panorama, was failing to stand out and was being outgunned by Channel 4’s Dispatches.
Panorama has also proved controversial, including last year’s undercover trip to North Korea and its investigation into charities including Comic Relief, both of which caused rows which drew in the BBC director general, Tony Hall. Panorama programmes have also attracted criticism, including last year’s undercover trip to North Korea and its investigation into charities including Comic Relief, both of which caused rows which drew in the BBC director general, Tony Hall.
BBC insiders believe it may have suffered as a result of the controversy around the two programmes, as well as Panorama’s investigation into the Newsnight Savile affair in October 2012, which was heavily critical of the rival BBC2 programme and senior corporation executives. All the senior journalists involved in the Savile programme are either leaving the BBC or have been moved to a new role.BBC insiders believe it may have suffered as a result of the controversy around the two programmes, as well as Panorama’s investigation into the Newsnight Savile affair in October 2012, which was heavily critical of the rival BBC2 programme and senior corporation executives. All the senior journalists involved in the Savile programme are either leaving the BBC or have been moved to a new role.
The change in direction on Panorama echoes a move in the late 1980s, under its then director general John Birt and Hall, who was then its director of TV news, to move away from investigative reporting to more analysis and issue-based programmes. The change in direction on Panorama echoes a move in the late 1980s, under its then director general John Birt and Lord Hall, who was then its director of TV news, to move away from investigative reporting to more analysis and issue-based programmes.
Uncertainty continues to surround Panorama, with acting editor Ceri Thomas having to reapply for the role and its four-strong team of reporters likely to remain until next spring, nearly a year after they were told they were being made redundant as part of a £48m cost-cutting package.Uncertainty continues to surround Panorama, with acting editor Ceri Thomas having to reapply for the role and its four-strong team of reporters likely to remain until next spring, nearly a year after they were told they were being made redundant as part of a £48m cost-cutting package.
Thomas, put in temporary charge of Panorama earlier this year after previous editor Tom Giles was moved to a new job overseeing a report into BBC current affairs, is understood to want “high end” impactful investigations which make headlines. Thomas, put in temporary charge of Panorama this year after previous editor Tom Giles was moved to a new job overseeing a report into BBC current affairs, is understood to want “high end” impactful investigations which make headlines.
But management is said to want to move away from mid-ranking investigations which fail to surprise or have a lasting impact, with a belief that some programmes over the last few years have not been strong enough for a flagship BBC brand. But management is said to want to move away from mid-ranking investigations that fail to surprise or have a lasting impact, with a belief that some programmes over the last few years have not been strong enough for a prestigious BBC brand.
Thomas, the BBC’s former head of news programmes whose old role was effectively abolished in a shake-up by BBC news chief James Harding nine days ago, is expected to apply for the role on a permanent basis. Thomas, the BBC’s former head of news programmes whose old role was in effect abolished in a shakeup by BBC news chief James Harding nine days ago, is expected to apply for the role on a permanent basis.
Harding’s overhaul, part of a restructure that will affect more than 400 posts, proved hugely contentious, with a number of senior news executives facing the loss of their old roles.Harding’s overhaul, part of a restructure that will affect more than 400 posts, proved hugely contentious, with a number of senior news executives facing the loss of their old roles.
A BBC spokesman said: “Panorama is and will remain the BBC’s flagship investigative programme. We are keen to ensure that it has the resources to deliver regular, hard-hitting investigations. We also believe there is room for occasional news analysis programmes to help explain in greater depth developing or complex stories.A BBC spokesman said: “Panorama is and will remain the BBC’s flagship investigative programme. We are keen to ensure that it has the resources to deliver regular, hard-hitting investigations. We also believe there is room for occasional news analysis programmes to help explain in greater depth developing or complex stories.
“Far from diluting the values which underpin Panorama we are confident that these changes will strengthen its impact for viewers.”“Far from diluting the values which underpin Panorama we are confident that these changes will strengthen its impact for viewers.”
Highs and lows
1995 Princess Diana interview with Martin Bashir – 22.8m
2007 John Sweeney’s “Scientology and me” – 4.4m
2012 investigation into Newsnight/Jimmy Savile – 5.1m
2013 Tory MP Patrick Mercer “cash for questions” – 1.3m
2014 last Monday’s programme about stillborn babies – 2.3m
Sample programme audiences