BBC Editor Steps Aside in Abuse Scandal
LONDON — In a dramatic widening of a scandal scarring its reputation for probity and integrity, the British Broadcasting Corporation announced on Monday that the editor of a flagship news show was “stepped abiding” after giving an “inaccurate or incomplete” account of his reasons for abandoning an investigation into a high-profile television personality accused of sexual abuse possibly involving at least 200 teenage girls.
The editor, Peter Rippon, head of the often hard-hitting “Newsnight” program, was the first and most senior BBC news executive to face public censure in the scandal. The BBC, Britain’s public broadcaster which is financed by compulsory license fees from viewers, said the move involving Mr. Rippon would remain in place while an inquiry is held into the affair.The announcement came only hours before a BBC investigative program, Panorama, planned to broadcast its own inquiry into his decision to drop an investigation into the behavior of Sir Jimmy Savile, a prominent disc jockey and showman known also for his philanthropy who died last year aged 84.
With his hallmark long cigars and collar-length peroxide blonde hair, Mr. Savile was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and was regarded by some as a national treasure until the scandal broke this month with accusations that he abused teenage girls in hospitals, children’s homes and on BBC premises. The police said Friday that more than 200 “potential victims” had come forward, more than triple the number of suspected cases just days earlier.
In a statement on Monday, the BB...
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director