BBC Today editor's emails: In full

BBC ^ | 13 August, 2003 | Kevin Marsh

[ijcr]

Kevin Marsh, editor of BBC Radio 4's Today programme, sent two emails in the wake of the reports by correspondent Andrew Gilligan based on conversations with weapons expert Dr David Kelly.

The first, presented to Lord Hutton's inquiry into Dr Kelly's apparent suicide, was sent to the head of BBC Radio News, Stephen Mitchell, on 27 June:

Some thoughts, clearly I have to talk to AG [Andrew Gilligan] early next week. I hope that by then my worst fears - based on what I'm hearing from the spooks [intelligence officers] this afternoon - aren't realised.

Assuming not, the guts of what I would say are:

The story was a good piece of investigative journalism, marred by flawed reporting - our biggest millstone has been his loose use of language and lack of judgement in some of his phraseology.

It was marred also by the quantity of writing for other outlets that varied what was said or was loose with the terms of the story.

That it is in many ways a result of the loose and in some ways distant relationship he's been allowed to have with Today.

I propose that we change that.

That he works substantially in the office.

That he comes in to TVC [BBC Television Centre] to put his pieces together and to file (he usually files from home).

That all his proposed stories are discussed with me, in detail as early as possible in the process - face to face if possible.

That anonymous sources pass an expilicit credibility test with me.

That his material is filed/ assembled in time to be heard by me or a senior Ass Ed [Assistant Editor] in time to make changes.

That we agree on a script or on core elements of a script that he does not subsequently vary.

That he stops writing for non-BBC outlets?? OR

That all writing for non-BBC outlets is seen 24 hours in advance of copy time and before it is filed by two editors/managers - if changes are necessary, the changed copy is seen, again before being filed??

Does this sound too harsh?? Thoughts?? I'd like anything I say to him to be consistent with anything anyone else above me in the hierarchy.

K

The second email was sent by Kevin Marsh to Andrew Gilligan on 30 May and was released by the BBC:

Statement of the obvious, I guess, but it's really good to have you back here in the UK.

Great week; great stories, well handled and well told. 'Course it's meant Today has had a great week too....and that's lifted everyone.

We still have to have that conversation [annual appraisal] - but since you're entirely nocturnal while I'm a normal human being, we don't seem to meet too often. Maybe you could creak the coffin lid open next week during daylight hours?? Anyhow, it's great to have you back on your beat. Talk soon.

[ijcr]

Another BBC executive that needs to rewrite his resume.

[.cnI redruM]

and mail it straight to the NYT...