There are a few simple points to make in the case of Panorama versus Exaro news. Exposing paedophilia ancient and modern is a fraught, fallible pursuit, often a matter of credible testimony rather than proof. Investigative journalism, of its nature, explores misty areas of deception and corruption. It sometimes gets things wrong. (I’ve been there myself). Investigative journalists are often a breed apart: passionate and scornful of rivals. So occasionally one lot of investigators will turn on another and set the fur flying.
But then reach for a certain perspective. Panorama was only allowed late – very late – to examine the entrails of the Savile scandal. The BBC did not distinguish itself there. The small, lonely Exaro outfit, in contrast, has been early and dogged in its hunt for political paedophile connections. It may have gone too far in some cases. Tragic stuff happens, exposures nobody can feel happy about. (What the police said about Leon Brittan is police business). But there’s been much necessary revelation, too. If you never risk a mistake in these dangerous regions, you’ll never find anything out. And, as we know now, there was and still is so much left to discover.
