Leaving aside for the moment the British national paranoia about sex crimes (unequalled anywhere else ), the problem with the BBC is that it has grown too sprawling, is into a mind-blowing assortment of projects and services and has a vast, top-heavy bureaucracy with too many “managers”. All this is paid for by a virtual tax on the British public that remorselessly rises every year and for which the management is unaccountable. I think I paid 145 pounds for the TV license this year, and only watch the occasional programme.
You see before you the implosion of several British icons simultaneously. To name but three: the BBC, BP and Marks & Spencer, all at one time revered, now in one mighty mess or another. What is the connection? In all cases, management. The top people are arrogant, impatient of customer care, after a quick buck, disrespectful of staff, only interested in their own careers and/ or the share price, as appropriate. I blame a lack of integrity and a disregard of what made their institutions great in the first place. These people deserve to be fired, but who is there to restore the old way of doing things? Those available have been trained in business schools where the means justifies the ends and nothing really matters. Except money.
I personally mourn for the upstanding institutions of my youth. On the other hand, it’s clear that younger people are totally cool about it. So I realize that I should be going into my garden and seeking ataraxia. After all, as someone so affectionately pointed out, ” You have had your day. It’s our turn now”.