Summary nine

BBC 'talent' pay kept secret but executives' costs revealed
By Vicky Shaw, Press Association
Thursday, 25 June 2009

The BBC has announced that it is going to cut the salary for around a hundred presenters and so-called talents. BBC executives claims were also reported after the scandal with the mp’s, this because the BBC wants to be more open to the public. Last autumn it was decided that the BBC would be committed to regular routine publication of all their expenses of the executives.
Mr. Thompson who is director general stated that in the future the BBC will cut the pay of people with the greatest responsibility for spending money and oversee the BBC’s service and operations. The hundred people are a total of managers beyond the executive board. Each quarter, the BBC will publish their expenses for everyone. Including hospitality and gift register. Mr. Thompson said: "It has been our view that it does not make sense for the BBC to disclose individual talent fees." Confidentiality and freedom of information is a important issue, because when the BBC publishes this, that talent might go to other broadcasters where confidential information is more important and where their salary stays a secret. The BBC recognizes that the public have a legitimate interest in the information about their expenses. In the future they want the expenses to be more transparent so that the public can monitor it. Earlier this month, the corporation's top talent were called to a meeting where they were told to expect their pay would be slashed. People like Jeremy Clarkson. For some highly paid stars, the salary reduction could reportedly be as much as 40%. Mr. Thompson emphasized that the entry level for a BBC presenter was not "£6 million a year".

I think it’s great the BBC is opening up this information, they do not need to tell of show everything but to be open to the public gives them a better reputation. After the whole scandal with the MP’s this is a great idea. Jeremy Clarkson does get lots of money, but not only through Top Gear but also through his columns and books, I know that he is worth much money, but there should be a limit. He can live with less money than he gets now. I am for the idea of giving fees, but there is a limit and when you have such a big company like the BBC you have to be organized and clear about that.