Media Confidential ‘I’m with you on the free press, it’s the newspapers I can’t stand’: What Tom Stoppard got right about journalism
Dec 4, 2025
Alan and Lionel dive into the complexities of the BBC's leadership, debating whether the director general role is too demanding for one person. They reflect on the late Tom Stoppard's love for journalism and share personal anecdotes about his mentorship. Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Independent, they discuss its founding and the impact of Andreas Whittam Smith. The hosts also analyze current budget coverage, praising notable journalists while critiquing media bias in reporting.
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Split Roles Could Clarify BBC Leadership
- Splitting the BBC director-general role into operational CEO and editorial editor-in can create clearer responsibilities for strategy and newsroom leadership.
- Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber warn the relationship must preserve editorial independence and avoid CEO second-guessing editorial judgments.
Protect Editorial Independence
- Preserve editorial independence by ensuring editors do not report on editorial matters to the CEO.
- Create co-equal status between commercial and editorial leaders to prevent managerial interference in journalism.
Board Lacks Editorial Heft
- The BBC board lacks sufficient editorial experience and is heavy on finance and private equity backgrounds.
- Alan argues the board needs more editorial heft to make credible appointments for editor-in and DG roles.
