Cohen hits back at BBC’s critics

The BBC’s director of television has hit back at former staff and the stars of some of its biggest shows for “joining the daily chorus of BBC bashing.”

Danny Cohen said he wanted talent employed by the UK pubcaster to “think hard” before criticising it in public, adding that such undermining of the corporation drove current staff “mad.”

The host of BBC1’s Question Time David Dimbleby, the star of reality show The Apprentice Alan Sugar and the BBC’s former editorial director Roger Mosey have all recently attacked the organisation for being too large and overstaffed.

Cohen said he wanted “those people who work for the BBC and are well rewarded for it” to deal with concerns internally and “celebrate its successes.”

“The BBC is an imperfect institution and critical friends are really important. Where problems do arise let’s deal with them in the most effective way we can,” he added.

His comments come as the BBC seeks to renew its royal charter, which sets out the constitutional framework within which it must work, including its public purposes, guarantees of its independence and the duties of the governing BBC Trust and the executive. The current charter runs until December 31, 2016.

Cohen, who has previously headed channels including BBC1 and BBC3, also said he agreed with BBC director general Tony Hall’s assertion that the organisation must stand up for itself more.

The BBC has been at the heart of the sex abuse scandal involving former presenter Jimmy Savile, while recent revelations over executive payouts have further tarnished its reputation.

“It’s been a very difficult year for the BBC. We got a lot wrong but we hope now, under Tony Hall, that we’re emerging from these crises and getting the focus back on programmes and licence fee payers.”