The BBC has appointed consultants Change Associates to carry out an independent review of its workplace culture.
The corporation announced the review in the wake of revelations about Huw Edwards, formerly its most senior news presenter, who committed offences involving child abuse images.
Last month, Edwards was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he admitted three charges of making indecent images of children.
The review will focus on ensuring that the consequences of inappropriate behaviour and abuse of power at the BBC are understood by everyone and that significant issues are dealt with.
Change Associates specialises in cultural and behavioural issues across a wide range of businesses and industries. Executive Chairman and founder of Change Associates, Grahame Russell will lead the review.
Change Associates also led the work on the BBC’s 2013 Respect at Work Review. That review, carried out in 2013 in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal, suggested there was “a strong undercurrent of fear” at the BBC when addressing issues of bullying.
Announcing the start of the review in an email to staff, BBC Chair Samir Shah said: “I cannot emphasise enough that I am fully committed to tackling inappropriate or abusive behaviour.
“For most of us, it is a joy to work for the BBC and that should be the case for everyone. Nobody working in the BBC should ever feel fear or worry while working here.
“What is clear to me is that we must ensure the BBC is a safe, secure and welcoming workplace for everyone.”
The BBC intends to publish the report in the spring of next year.
![The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has urged studios to take “immediate legal action” against any tech firms that it says have used writers’ work to train their AI systems](/files/live/sites/ibc/files/2024/12-Dec-2024/WC-16Dec/News/5. shutterstock_1743795863.jpg)
US writers call on Hollywood studios to take action against AI firms
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has called on Hollywood studios to “come off the sidelines” and prevent tech companies from allegedly using its members’ works to train AI platforms.
![Arte has become the newest member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)](/files/live/sites/ibc/files/2024/12-Dec-2024/WC-16Dec/News/4. Arte. Arte HQ. EBU.jpg)
Arte joins European Broadcasting Union
Arte, the Franco-German public service broadcaster, has become the newest member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
![Lee Walters](/files/live/sites/ibc/files/2024/12-Dec-2024/WC-16Dec/News/3. source - shutterstock_773453590.jpg)
Lee Walters appointed Chair of BAFTA Cymru
BAFTA has named Lee Walters as Chair of its Wales branch BAFTA Cymru.
![Around five billion people, or 84% of the potential global audiences, followed the Olympic Games Paris 2024](/files/live/sites/ibc/files/2024/12-Dec-2024/WC-16Dec/News/2. source - shutterstock_2496187619 (1).jpg)
Paris 2024 audience hit five billion – IOC report
Around five billion people, or 84% of the potential global audiences, followed the Olympic Games Paris 2024, according to research conducted on behalf of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
![ITV is to make hundreds of hours of its programmes available to viewers on YouTube.](/files/live/sites/ibc/files/2024/12-Dec-2024/WC-16Dec/News/1. ITV YouTube. YouBet!.jpg)
ITV strikes partnership deal with YouTube
ITV is to make hundreds of hours of its programmes available to viewers on YouTube.