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BBC Blogging Evolution: Listening to Feedback for Enhanced Accountability

Explore the BBC's shift to blogging for transparency and public engagement, overcoming resistance and enhancing journalistic trust.

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BBC Blogging Evolution: Listening to Feedback for Enhanced Accountability

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  1. The BBC goes blogging: Is ‘Auntie’ finally listening? Alfred Hermida Graduate School of Journalism University of British Columbia Alfred Hermida Graduate School of Journalism University of British Columbia

  2. 2 Points of View, BBC, 1962 Points of View, BBC 1962

  3. 3 Accountability BBC labeled as: Bloated monolith Monopolistic Elitist Complacent Poorly managed Photo: Joe Dunckley (http://www.flickr.com/photos/steinsky/)

  4. The J-blog • New form of journalism (Wendland, 2003; Singer, 2005; Wall, 2005) • Platform for accountability and transparency (Andrews, 2004; Glaser, 2004; Singer, 2003) • Photo: JKim1: (http://www.flickr/photos/jkim1)

  5. Methodology • BBC public policy documents • Internal BBC reports • Blog content on BBC and personal websites • Correspondence with senior editorial executives

  6. 6 Newslog, BBC 2001

  7. 7 Blogging the US election, BBC 2004

  8. Blogs? • Dissemination of information is great, but how much of it is trustworthy? They are an interesting phenomenon, but I don't think they will be as talked about in a year's time. • Mike Smartt, 2003

  9. Resistance • “The latest Internet phenomenon of which much is said and little understood” • “Fears by some that a new openness would lead to embarrassing disclosures and uncomfortable headlines” • “Lots of grappling with very practical problems and frustrations” • “People who argued vehemently that it was not the route for the BBC to go down”

  10. The Editors’ Blog • “Explain some of our editorial decisions, our priorities, answer criticisms” • “Hopefully draw other parts of BBC News into the process as well” • Pete Clifton, 2005

  11. 11 December 2005 - 1 blogNovember 2006 - 43 blogs

  12. Editorial values • Same rules apply as on air – impartiality is the watchword. Which means bloggers have to tread a careful line – they can be engaging and judgmental, but must not take sides. • BBC correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones, 2008

  13. Journalistic voice • It allows us a different tone of voice which, being less formal, can convey more of an insight into the perspectives, predicaments and personalities of our reporters (and editors) • Rachel Nixon, BBC News website, World Feature Editor, 2006

  14. Repairing trust • We do have an interest in hearing the public’s views about our news coverage, so we run an Editors' blog and host discussions about that – an essential part of a push towards greater accountability and openness and a way of enhancing and repairing the damaged trust in the BBC • Peter Horrocks, Head of BBC Newsroom, 2008

  15. Limits of the conversation • Few links to other websites, including blogs • A one-way process • Demands on time • Unstable infrastructure

  16. Thoughts for discussion • A new openness • A more personal form of journalism • Journalistic authority • Questions over acceptance

  17. 17 E-mail: alfred.hermida@ubc.caBlog: reportr.net

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