View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Best journalism in the world is BBC’s first priority

By Press Gazette

BBC director general Mark Thompson has placed creating the ‘best journalism in the world’ as the number one content priority for the corporation.

In a strategic review released today he said that under his plan the BBC will “focus increasingly on areas where it adds most value and is truly distinctive such as: eyewitness reportage; international newsgathering; specialist analysis and explanation; investigative journalism; and current affairs”.

News priorities outlined by Thompson include:

• Strengthened specialist analysis, in particular in science, the environment and social affairs;

• Increased business coverage at a local and global level;

• Strengthened commitment to international newsgathering and reportage in parts of the world with growing geo-political importance such as China and Brazil;

• Enhanced commitment to scrutinising the local democratic process, including through multiplatform coverage of local government and politics through Democracy Live;

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

• Enhanced coverage of UK arts and culture.

He said that BBC News Online will focus its specialist analysis and interpretation on a generalist, not specialist, audience.

And under today’s proposals the entertainment news category will be “refocused” to “reflect a more serious, concise agenda with stronger coverage of the media industry, culture and the arts”.

Thompson’s proposals now go to the BBC Trust for further consideration. It is holding its own public consultation on the future direction of the BBC which closes on 25 May.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network