Media Confidential What’s next for the BBC? A new director-general
10 snips
Nov 17, 2025 Alan and Janine dive into the intense competition for the BBC's Director-General position, evaluating a diverse lineup of candidates. They explore whether a non-journalist can effectively lead the organization and discuss the implications of appointing a female leader amidst the current crisis. The duo even reaches out to Lionel Barber for his views on the role. Additionally, they tackle the legal ramifications surrounding controversial editorial decisions, prompting a debate over accountability and transparency in media practices.
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Director-General Role Is Exceptionally Hazardous
- The BBC director-general role is brutally exposed and often ends amid media-driven crises.
- Alan Rusbridger argues the job now demands extraordinary resilience and tolerance for daily public attack.
Editorial Experience Still Crucial
- Many strong candidates come from TV and commercial broadcasting rather than hard news backgrounds.
- Janine Gibson and Alan note that editorial news experience still matters because news is often what brings a DG down.
Jay Hunt’s High-Profile Career Moves
- Janine and Alan recount Jay Hunt's career moves from BBC to Channel 4 and Apple.
- They highlight her high-profile hits like The Bake Off and streaming drama successes at Apple.
