The BBC said Monday that it will explore steps to make sure there are no more Martin Bashir-sized scandals.
Days after an independent inquiry ruled that Bashir’s 1995 interview of Princess Diana was achieved using “deceitful methods,” the British TV network announced it will “review the effectiveness of the BBC’s editorial policies and governance in detail.”
“As a Board we believe that the BBC is a different organization today, with different and stronger governance, as well as improved processes,” the network said in a statement.
“Nevertheless, Lord Dyson’s report speaks to historic failings of oversight and these should be reflected upon. We must not just assume that mistakes of the past cannot be repeated today — we must make sure that this is the case.”
Dyson, a former judge, determined through a six-month investigation released Thursday that Bashir broke BBC’s editorial standards in order to secure the interview, during which Diana famously said there were “three of us” in her marriage to Prince Charles, referring to Camilla Parker Bowles.
Specifically, Dyson concluded that Bashir had used fake bank statements to convince Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, that family friends were selling stories to the media, and that Bashir had lied to the BBC about showing the forgeries to Spencer. Spencer was the one to connect Bashir and Diana before the interview.
“We accepted Lord Dyson’s findings in full and reiterate the apology we have offered to all those affected by the failings identified,” the BBC said Monday.
“We recognize the impact that the events it describes has had on so many people, not least those whose lives were personally affected by what happened. We also acknowledge that audiences had a right to expect better from the BBC.”
