DA
Dan
Founding member
I think Richard Eyre (former BBC Controller of Editorial Policy and Deputy Head of News) put it very well on News 24 just after the resignation announcement: "A seismic shock to the BBC ... The people in the BBC indentified with the Director General, not the Chairman - and particularly with Greg Dyke ... The change that he brought about in the atmosphere in the BBC really can't be overstated; he was a fantastically popular Director General ... There will be hundreds and hundreds of programme-makers who are genuinely shocked now, and wonder what is happening to this organisation."
OB
You might be able to. Some of us don't happen to be in front of a television.
Lucky I do! thank you Asa!. Nothing on Itv1 or C4 about this yet, interesting Lucy Jackson broke the news 1st in the south, informing us just at the end of South Today.... South Today First for Breaking News!! 
Asa posted:
CPFC posted:
We can see for ourselves.
You might be able to. Some of us don't happen to be in front of a television.
MA
I'm genuinely disappointed and saddened by this news. I suspect that he probably wouldn't have stayed in the job much longer anyway, but it's very sad that he has left under these circumstances.
Working for the BBC under Greg Dyke was a very different experience from the Birt era. The place felt excited and energised. I think it'll be very difficult to find someone who has the drive that he has.
I suspect that Greg has not yet truly spoken his mind on the Hutton Report. But he will. And soon.
Working for the BBC under Greg Dyke was a very different experience from the Birt era. The place felt excited and energised. I think it'll be very difficult to find someone who has the drive that he has.
I suspect that Greg has not yet truly spoken his mind on the Hutton Report. But he will. And soon.
DA
Dan
Founding member
Mark Byford has been appointed Acting DG. Greg sent the following e-mail to BBC staff earlier - I think his comments in the penultimate paragraph are entirely correct:
-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Dyke
Sent: 29 January 2004 13:38
Subject: I'm Leaving
This email's going to all staff
--------------------------------
This is the hardest e-mail I’ve ever written.
In a few minutes I’ll be announcing to the outside world that I’m leaving after four years as Director General. I don’t want to go and I’ll miss everyone here hugely.
However the management of the BBC was heavily criticised in the Hutton Report and as the Director General I am responsible for the management so it’s right I take responsibility for what happened.
I accept that the BBC made errors of judgement and I’ve sadly come to the conclusion that it will be hard to draw a line under this whole affair while I am still here. We need closure. We need closure to protect the future of the BBC, not for you or me but for the benefit of everyone out there. It might sound pompous but I believe the BBC really matters.
Throughout this affair my sole aim as Director General of the BBC has been to defend our editorial independence and to act in the public interest.
In four years we’ve achieved a lot between us. I believe we’ve changed the place fundamentally and I hope that those changes will last beyond me. The BBC has always been a great organisation but I hope that, over the last four years, I’ve helped to make it a more human place where everyone who works here feels appreciated. If that’s anywhere near true I leave contented, if sad.
Thank you all for the help and support you’ve given me. This might sound a bit schmaltzy but I really will miss you all. I’ve enjoyed the last four years more than any other time in my working life.
Yours,
Greg
-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Dyke
Sent: 29 January 2004 13:38
Subject: I'm Leaving
This email's going to all staff
--------------------------------
This is the hardest e-mail I’ve ever written.
In a few minutes I’ll be announcing to the outside world that I’m leaving after four years as Director General. I don’t want to go and I’ll miss everyone here hugely.
However the management of the BBC was heavily criticised in the Hutton Report and as the Director General I am responsible for the management so it’s right I take responsibility for what happened.
I accept that the BBC made errors of judgement and I’ve sadly come to the conclusion that it will be hard to draw a line under this whole affair while I am still here. We need closure. We need closure to protect the future of the BBC, not for you or me but for the benefit of everyone out there. It might sound pompous but I believe the BBC really matters.
Throughout this affair my sole aim as Director General of the BBC has been to defend our editorial independence and to act in the public interest.
In four years we’ve achieved a lot between us. I believe we’ve changed the place fundamentally and I hope that those changes will last beyond me. The BBC has always been a great organisation but I hope that, over the last four years, I’ve helped to make it a more human place where everyone who works here feels appreciated. If that’s anywhere near true I leave contented, if sad.
Thank you all for the help and support you’ve given me. This might sound a bit schmaltzy but I really will miss you all. I’ve enjoyed the last four years more than any other time in my working life.
Yours,
Greg