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Keeping Honest Inquiry at Bay Keeping Honest Inquiry at Bay
(35 minutes later)
LONDON — There are around 800 words in this column, but really it concerns just one of them.LONDON — There are around 800 words in this column, but really it concerns just one of them.
The word is “inappropriate,” as in: “It would be highly inappropriate of me (a person of note) to disclose anything on this matter of public interest to you (a reporter, plebeian or sundry member of the hoi polloi).”The word is “inappropriate,” as in: “It would be highly inappropriate of me (a person of note) to disclose anything on this matter of public interest to you (a reporter, plebeian or sundry member of the hoi polloi).”
The debate is not so much about etymology or semantics as about the codes devised by those in power to cloak their secrets, to frustrate honest inquiry, to thwart transparency. The word reflects an aversion to openness, a fear of judgment that, among other things, helped the British Broadcasting Corp.’s television host Jimmy Savile evade scrutiny for decades as he abused a tally of underage people that the police have put at 300.The debate is not so much about etymology or semantics as about the codes devised by those in power to cloak their secrets, to frustrate honest inquiry, to thwart transparency. The word reflects an aversion to openness, a fear of judgment that, among other things, helped the British Broadcasting Corp.’s television host Jimmy Savile evade scrutiny for decades as he abused a tally of underage people that the police have put at 300.
It is a word that belongs in the lexicon of what that Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s pugnacious former spin doctor, called weasel words.It is a word that belongs in the lexicon of what that Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s pugnacious former spin doctor, called weasel words.
In the Savile case, it was the television host’s behavior that was inappropriate, to say the very least, and yet so many people — prosecutors, celebrities, fellow entertainers, journalists — felt it was inappropriate to say so.In the Savile case, it was the television host’s behavior that was inappropriate, to say the very least, and yet so many people — prosecutors, celebrities, fellow entertainers, journalists — felt it was inappropriate to say so.
Last week the BBC reported that an inquiry had begun into the corporation’s culture and practices over the Savile decades led by Dame Janet Smith, a former appeals court judge.Last week the BBC reported that an inquiry had begun into the corporation’s culture and practices over the Savile decades led by Dame Janet Smith, a former appeals court judge.
The inquiry was one of two. The other, led by Nick Pollard, a former head of the rival Sky News, is investigating why a BBC current affairs program, “Newsnight,” abandoned a program examining Mr. Savile’s behavior almost a year ago.The inquiry was one of two. The other, led by Nick Pollard, a former head of the rival Sky News, is investigating why a BBC current affairs program, “Newsnight,” abandoned a program examining Mr. Savile’s behavior almost a year ago.
Dame Fiona Reynolds, the head of the BBC executive board that appointed the two inquirers, said that these “reviews” — another word of flexible meaning — “will demonstrate the BBC’s determination to open itself fully to scrutiny from independent experts, emphasizing our belief that the basis of the public’s trust is full openness and accountability.”Dame Fiona Reynolds, the head of the BBC executive board that appointed the two inquirers, said that these “reviews” — another word of flexible meaning — “will demonstrate the BBC’s determination to open itself fully to scrutiny from independent experts, emphasizing our belief that the basis of the public’s trust is full openness and accountability.”
So a reporter asked Dame Janet’s team how she would conduct her inquiry, whom she would call as witnesses, where the inquiries would take place and so forth.So a reporter asked Dame Janet’s team how she would conduct her inquiry, whom she would call as witnesses, where the inquiries would take place and so forth.
Coming after the months of parliamentary and judicial inquiries into the phone hacking scandal, conducted under oath and in the full glare of live television, the questions seemed reasonable enough.Coming after the months of parliamentary and judicial inquiries into the phone hacking scandal, conducted under oath and in the full glare of live television, the questions seemed reasonable enough.
“Dame Janet’s view,” the reporter was told, “is that it is not appropriate for her to give interviews or provide comment regarding the review at this time. Press information will be issued in due course.”“Dame Janet’s view,” the reporter was told, “is that it is not appropriate for her to give interviews or provide comment regarding the review at this time. Press information will be issued in due course.”
That word again, coupled with the condescending “in due course” — a double-whammy that seemed to suggest that there are some things better left to the grown-ups.That word again, coupled with the condescending “in due course” — a double-whammy that seemed to suggest that there are some things better left to the grown-ups.
The BBC, of course, is struggling to protect the reputation of its managers and bosses, past and present. They include Mark Thompson, the corporation’s director general at the time of the “Newsnight” imbroglio who is now the incoming president and chief executive of The New York Times Co., owner of the International Herald Tribune. (Mr. Thompson has denied knowing of the considerations that went into canceling the segment.)The BBC, of course, is struggling to protect the reputation of its managers and bosses, past and present. They include Mark Thompson, the corporation’s director general at the time of the “Newsnight” imbroglio who is now the incoming president and chief executive of The New York Times Co., owner of the International Herald Tribune. (Mr. Thompson has denied knowing of the considerations that went into canceling the segment.)
Maybe a case can be made for the catchall “inappropriate” defense when criminal procedures are under way and premature disclosure of evidence could prejudice a trial. But Mr. Savile died at age 84 last year without ever facing charges in court. The BBC’s “reviews” are not trials. And while two aging entertainers have been arrested for questioning and released on bail in the scandal, no one has so far been charged.Maybe a case can be made for the catchall “inappropriate” defense when criminal procedures are under way and premature disclosure of evidence could prejudice a trial. But Mr. Savile died at age 84 last year without ever facing charges in court. The BBC’s “reviews” are not trials. And while two aging entertainers have been arrested for questioning and released on bail in the scandal, no one has so far been charged.
With lawyers paused to lodge claims against Mr. Savile’s £4.3 million, or $6.9 million, estate, there may be some worry about likely legal consequences for those institutions where the abused say they were abused, including the premises of the BBC and another British institution, the National Health Service. With lawyers poised to lodge claims against Mr. Savile’s £4.3 million, or $6.9 million, estate, there may be some worry about likely legal consequences for those institutions where the abused say they were abused, including the premises of the BBC and another British institution, the National Health Service.
What is really on trial, though, is the trust placed in the BBC, partly in return for a compulsory license fee that funds its budget, and partly built from many interwoven strands that reach deep into the national memory.What is really on trial, though, is the trust placed in the BBC, partly in return for a compulsory license fee that funds its budget, and partly built from many interwoven strands that reach deep into the national memory.
When one of Mr. Savile’s best known shows, “Top of the Pops,” began in 1964, it was the hot ticket of an era, offering teenagers and twentysomethings a portal into a cultural revolution sweeping away their parents’ crooners and dance bands.When one of Mr. Savile’s best known shows, “Top of the Pops,” began in 1964, it was the hot ticket of an era, offering teenagers and twentysomethings a portal into a cultural revolution sweeping away their parents’ crooners and dance bands.
In black and white, on grainy television screens, the Rolling Stones, the Animals, the Beatles paraded and gyrated for a new generation.In black and white, on grainy television screens, the Rolling Stones, the Animals, the Beatles paraded and gyrated for a new generation.
It was a time when young men cut their hair in Beatles fringes and young women looked to the fashion designer Mary Quant for inspiration. It was an era of renewal now, it seems, besmirched by Mr. Savile’s behavior as what the police have called a prolific predatory pedophile.It was a time when young men cut their hair in Beatles fringes and young women looked to the fashion designer Mary Quant for inspiration. It was an era of renewal now, it seems, besmirched by Mr. Savile’s behavior as what the police have called a prolific predatory pedophile.
It is said and not denied that, in those early days, some rock singers lip-synced on television to their chart-topping songs.It is said and not denied that, in those early days, some rock singers lip-synced on television to their chart-topping songs.
But surely, with their talk of openness, the BBC’s inquirers cannot be resorting to a similar technique, mouthing words without resonance? Would that not be the most inappropriate response of all?But surely, with their talk of openness, the BBC’s inquirers cannot be resorting to a similar technique, mouthing words without resonance? Would that not be the most inappropriate response of all?