The BBC, one of the largest and most respected broadcasters in the world, is mired in crisis, with the latest salvo being the resignation of its chief in the wake of a scandal over how it has handled and reported upon child sex-abuses cases.
Over the years, the BBC has been behind almost all of the U.K.'s broadcast milestones, serving as a voice for the British nation. Its airwaves have carried the clanging of Big Ben's bells, wartime messages from Winston Churchill, and the music of the Beatles — exporting British culture to a global audience.
The head of the BBC's governing body has vowed to overhaul and restore public confidence in the broadcaster. That could mean many things for the sprawling organization that has long emphasized its obligations to the public. To know what it would take, it is important to know what the BBC is and the scale of the crisis it faces.
WHAT HAPPENED:
Last month, the BBC drew fire after it emerged its "Newsnight" program had shelved an investigation into child sexual abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile, the broadcaster's renowned TV host who died last year.
Police allege the platinum-haired, tracksuit-wearing Savile may have abused at least 300 people — and that some of the abuse may have occurred on BBC premises. Questions soon arose over whether shelving the "Newsnight" piece was part of a cover up or if BBC managers had heard of but ignored claims of abuse by Savile.
Amid public outrage, BBC director general George Entwistle announced internal inquiries into why the "Newsnight" investigation was canned as well as the BBC's "culture and practices" during the years Savile worked there...............
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57548173/bbc-under-pressure-to-restore-trust-after-scandal/
