Omnipresent post_id=38122 time= user_id=858 Wrote:Fran Unsworth, Director Of News, is expected to leave The BBC according to The Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/s...orporation
Quote:The BBC’s director of news, Fran Unsworth, is expected to leave the corporation, sources at the broadcaster have told the Guardian.
Amid worsening relations with the government and internal battles over a staff reorganisation, Unsworth is soon expected to announce retirement plans.
Quote:She is due to address staff on Tuesday afternoon about BBC News’ ongoing restructure and job cuts, which will see many journalism roles moved outside London and other staff taking redundancy. The process was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, leaving many anxious staff unsure of their positions for more than a year.
One last cull before she bows out herself. Good riddance. She's been a complete disaster in her current role. She won't be missed by those I know at BBC News that's for sure.
I sincerely hope we don't see another slew of familiar faces forced out as she swings her axe one last time.
I’ve never especially understood the criticism of Unsworth for making cuts. Surely they’re not something she has much control of, but a response to the budget realities and instructions given from those higher up financially. She’ll shape how those cuts are made, but not whether they need to be made at all.
And you might disagree with how those cuts are made, though that seems a bit armchair critic to me – what could you possibly know about either the detail or big picture of staffing there?
She also really weakened the World Service whilst she was running it, which had been severely damaged by the cuts of 2011 already.
I think people understand the need for budget cuts but, at least from where I am, her approach has seemed far too arrogant (I'm sure there must be a better word for it...)
Fran Unsworth’s departure confirmed by the BBC Press Office:
https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2021/fra...-leave-bbc
Quote: Fran Unsworth says: “After more than 40 years with the BBC, I have decided that the time is right for me to hand on the job of leading the world’s best news organisation.
Joe post_id=38180 time= user_id=1035 Wrote:I’ve never especially understood the criticism of Unsworth for making cuts. Surely they’re not something she has much control of, but a response to the budget realities and instructions given from those higher up financially. She’ll shape how those cuts are made, but not whether they need to be made at all.
And you might disagree with how those cuts are made, though that seems a bit armchair critic to me – what could you possibly know about either the detail or big picture of staffing there?
I understand plenty thanks very much. I’ve followed her career as much as I’ve followed Deborah Turness or Christina Nicolotti-Squires. Fran Unsworyh has made some abysmal decisions while serving in her current role. She’s not particularly popular and it’s my own opinion to say what I want about her without crossing the line.
Cheers, enjoy your Tuesday.
Newsroom post_id=38196 time= user_id=1342 Wrote:it’s my own opinion to say what I want about her without crossing the line.
Your comments towards other users are crossing the line. Please tone down your comments. Thank you.
Newsroom post_id=38196 time= user_id=1342 Wrote:I understand plenty thanks very much. I’ve followed her career as much as I’ve followed Deborah Turness or Christina Nicolotti-Squires. Fran Unsworyh has made some abysmal decisions while serving in her current role. She’s not particularly popular and it’s my own opinion to say what I want about her without crossing the line.
Cheers, enjoy your Tuesday.
I know Rob has commented, but I just wanted to add that I think your tone is a bit much. I didn't accuse you of not understanding, I said I didn't understand. I was clear about my ignorance and wanted members to unpack a bit more of what they thought, and lift things above the cuts to the specifics. I tried to be polite and I think I was. It's clearly an emotive issue for you and not one I'm particularly willing to get into an argument over, so I'll leave it there.
I think it is difficult, as an outsider both to the BBC and industry, to gauge how much of the Unsworth management problem is the cuts she had to make, versus how she made them. She clearly is not responsible for the BBC ending up in the funding difficulties it’s found itself, and I don’t think anyone would suggest she was in an enviable situation having to both continue extensive cuts to the BBC’s services and workforce while also figuring out how to position BBC News for the future. Hopefully this next round of cuts and relocations can be the last, so that her successor can focus on rebuilding trust with the workforce and making good programming rather than worrying about how to pay the bills.
AndrewP post_id=38181 time= user_id=34 Wrote:I think people understand the need for budget cuts but, at least from where I am, her approach has seemed far too arrogant
Those I speak to at BBC News have very little time for her - seen as arrogant and aloof, and has handled different rounds of cuts in that manner.
The reaction of one of the people who fell victim to the decision to move Newsbeat to Birmingham pretty much sums up the wider view:
https://twitter.com/danielrosney/status/...60096?s=21
I think it's worth noting -- and please correct me if I'm wrong -- that Unsworth is on record for supporting a fair and independent process around recruitment for a senior BBC News role, while Robbie Gibb told her he didn't want that process to give Jess Brammar that job. Now Unsworth is leaving...
Will be interesting to see whether the BBC goes for an external hire or internal promotion.
Implementing budget cuts is never easy, but one area of concern is how BBC News is losing not only well established names but many rising stars as well.
The approach to moving reporters and presentation outside of London seems particularly clumsy.
As impressive as the new BBC Wales HQ is, presenting the odd Friday night edition of Newsnight in a deserted foyer in Cardiff adds absolutely nothing to its journalism.
Moving Newsbeat to Birmingham creates an unnecessary physical barrier between it and Radio 1. Moving the technology team to Glasgow does not make any sense when the vast majority of technology companies are based in London.
Rob post_id=38199 time= user_id=2 Wrote:Newsroom post_id=38196 time= user_id=1342 Wrote:it’s my own opinion to say what I want about her without crossing the line.
Your comments towards other users are crossing the line. Please tone down your comments. Thank you.
I'll happily take your comments on board [mention]Rob[/mention], in the same light please take mine on board that being in this particular instance being called an 'armchair critic' was unnecessary. Thanks.
Omnipresent post_id=38214 time= user_id=858 Wrote:Moving Newsbeat to Birmingham creates an unnecessary physical barrier between it and Radio 1. Moving the technology team to Glasgow does not make any sense when the vast majority of technology companies are based in London.
In fairness I'm sure that those decisions were from the DG not the head of News, correct me if I'm wrong.
Omnipresent post_id=38214 time= user_id=858 Wrote:Will be interesting to see whether the BBC goes for an external hire or internal promotion.
With it being a board position is it something the government has influence over?