The Audio Long Read From the archive: how two BBC journalists risked their jobs to reveal the truth about Jimmy Savile
Jul 23, 2025
Dive into the brave journeys of two journalists who risked their careers to expose the dark truths behind Jimmy Savile's public facade. Explore the significant shifts in media narratives around sexual abuse and how these investigations helped amplify the voices of victims. Uncover the internal struggles at the BBC and the emotional challenges faced by reporters as they fought against institutional pressures. This compelling narrative highlights the relentless pursuit of truth and the evolving societal attitudes towards justice for survivors.
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Cultural Mental Shift Uncovered
- The story reveals a cultural mental shift in how celebrity sex scandals are perceived.
- The focus changed from the powerful men to the survivors' stories and trauma.
Journalists Risk Careers to Investigate
- Liz McKean and Myriam Jones investigated Jimmy Savile's abuse at Duncroft school posthumously.
- They faced resistance from their BBC editors who doubted the victims and deemed the story risky.
BBC Blockade Prompts ITV Exposé
- After the BBC blocked the investigation, McKean and Jones leaked details and transferred research to ITV.
- ITV aired a documentary exposing Savile's crimes, igniting a national outpouring of abuse testimonies.