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BBC's review of 'talent' and abuse of power

Journalist: Jon Brady, Daily Mail

ended 15. October 2024

Hi all - looking to see if you might have a bit of commentary to offer on the BBC this morning after director general Tim Davie told Radio 4 yesterday he was initiating a soft ban on the word 'talent' in order to remove some of the star power and allure around high-profile presenters and stars. This comes after the Huw Edwards scandal and ater some high profile talent - stars such as Jermaine Jenas, some Strictly dancers, Gregg Wallace and Nick Knowles - were accused of recent and non-recent inappropriate behaviour.

It comes as the BBC launches a new review called 'Respect at Work' (https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/documents/bbc-workplace-culture-review-terms-of-reference.pdf) that will work towards preventing 'abuse of power' and 'to ensure the same values, expectations, and standards apply, regardless of the person involved' within the corporation.

I'd be grateful for some analysis and comment on: what the BBC is trying to do in commissioning this review; if it's high time it happened; what it should potentially do to keep its stars in check; and whether there are any risks to changing the culture around ‘stars’ - if they might be tempted elsewhere, for instance, with promises of more lucrative status. 

3 responses from the Newspage community

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Erefa Coker FCIPD
Founder at IMÒ INTERNS
The BBC's decision to eliminate the term "talent" and initiate the Respect at Work review marks a significant step forward. These changes signal a genuine commitment to addressing workplace issues and balancing power dynamics, especially after recent scandals.

This review couldn’t come at a better time, as the media landscape evolves and scrutiny of workplace behaviour increases. For this initiative to succeed, the BBC must implement clear guidelines, provide regular training, establish effective reporting mechanisms, and ensure consistent consequences for misconduct.

While some may fear losing high-profile presenters, the BBC's reputation far outweighs any individual star. These changes align with contemporary societal expectations and could attract talent seeking a respectful workplace.

The BBC is stepping up where it counts—putting respect at the forefront and prioritising a culture that values everyone.
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Cara Cunniff
Emotional Culture Consultant at ThriveWell Global
It’s high time the BBC truly examines how people feel at work. The ‘Respect at Work’ review is a vital step towards ensuring that employees feel respected, valued, and safe—rather than silenced or powerless. When organisations elevate a select few stars, it can create divides and unhealthy power dynamics. By moving away from the term "talent," the BBC is taking a stand to level the playing field, reinforcing that no one is above the standards that apply to everyone.

In environments like the BBC, where power can overshadow daily experiences, it’s crucial to understand how employees want to feel—and what they want to avoid. Building a culture of trust and fairness requires confronting power abuses head on and creating an atmosphere where individuals can speak up, be themselves, and truly thrive.
This shift is not just timely; it’s essential for the future of the organisation. Real change happens when everyone feels valued. The BBC is setting the stage for a healthier workplace culture.
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Victoria Brown
Story Coach at Victoria Brown - Story Coach
As a former BBC Journalist, I completely welcome this review. When I worked at the BBC there was unfortunately a culture of turning a blind eye to any unprofessional behaviour if it was carried out by the 'talent'. It was almost as though there was a separate set of rules for them and the rest of the production teams.

One of the presenters always behaved so badly that everyone was terrified of them. I remember working with them for a while, and I started feeling anxious the day before I was due into work, as I knew it would be so stressful. For example, they would regularly publicly criticise members of their team, send mass emails out about specific team members and change things at the last minute on a whim. But managers always swept their behaviour under the carpet and we were expected to go along with this, because they were 'talent.'

I hope this new review will bring these kind of behaviours to light and help create a more positive culture.