Too little too late

If there is an example of outstanding lack of leadership, then this week we have seen the BBC allow itself to be made a fool of, through lack of decisive judgment at the top.

Two radio personalities got carried away and behaved badly using offensive language and obscene remarks in a pre-recording of a radio show. The show was not checked (the BBC guidelines were not followed) and the show went out uncut. Five listeners complained. Then one of the Sunday newspapers did a feature article about the show and wrote quotes of what was said. Of course, reading what was said in the paper does not put any of the quotes in the context they were said and so made what was said, seem vastly worse than it was.

The result, there are now 30,000 complaints. These are people that never heard or saw the show but simply responded to what they read or what they heard from others. A range of people from the Prime Minister to the man on the street has been having their say. The BBC Director General did not act for days and now (days later) the Head of the Radio Station has been forced to resign and the most experienced personality has been banned for 12 weeks and the other one has also resigned. And, we are told, that the investigation still has not been completed!!!!!!

Why do leaders make life so difficult for themselves? The Head of the Radio Station admitted that guidelines had not been followed. Other senior figures had also not carried out checks required. This is an offense and does not need to deliberated on for days.

The two personalities, who immediately admitted and apologized for their behavior, needed to be dealt with swiftly and fairly. A hefty fine and a warning is called for. How long does that have to take?

But due to the lack of strong, principled and decisive leadership, the matter was allowed to get out of control and the result is actions that are neither fair to some parties or reasonable.

What about the newspaper that presented the facts in what, at best, could be called questionable if not misleading? Nothing, of course. Irresponsible behavior of two personalities has caused them the loss of their jobs. Irresponsible behavior of a newspaper, no action. Bad leadership from the BBC, no action. Well at least not yet. An independent watchdog is going to review the events and the BBC may well get a fine.

What a great shame that such lack of principled leadership, has to cause such a fiasco and make Britain (from Government to Business Leaders) look inadequate. What a great shame that once again the tabloid press gets away with such poor journalism. Wouldn't it be lovely if the public boycott the newspaper and if leaders would do what they were paid to do - Lead?