BBC in London

By now, the US and the media in general is already familiar with sexual abuse reports surfacing and accusing major household names, such as Sandusky from Penn State and the participants of the national Boy Scouts. Yet, now it appears this problem has become more apparent all over the world for now, in London, BBC, the country’s largest broadcasting company, is being investigated for sexual abuse against nine staff members and contributors. The accusation states that children’s TV host, Jimmy Savile, who died last year at the age of 84, had abused underage teenagers over several decades.
Director- General George Entwistle stated that BBC is currently looking into the situation as strictly as possible after multiple victims have spoke up about being abused while working for BBC. Yet, criticism was drawn when it was discovered that Savile did not follow through a background check while first being employed at the company because of certain “cultural problems.” Now under deep observation, Entwistle, will deliver a testimony before the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sports Committee, explaining the situation and the role the broadcast company, BBC, played in the sex abuse scandal.   

This article is very important because it shines light on the daily challenges many endure while working in the entertainment industry. Obviously, sexual harassment is no laughing matter and should never transpire for any reason because there is no justification for it, yet many people continue to do it. It is quite sad that after the world has heard of horrendous but similar cases happening, such as Sandusky from Penn State, some people still remain silent or even participate in such acts. Although this has always been a worldwide problem, it is now becoming worse with each day and must cease before the dilemma grows even bigger to the point that it can no longer be stopped. 

            The article caught my attention because it felt like such cases are happening way too often and I wonder what the authorities do to combat the problem. Although I expect the public to react the same (always in a disgusted and horrified manner), the accused might have a different approach and only be sorry for getting caught and not for actually committing the act.

As a student, this article impacts me because I can relate to the situation because I am a teenager around the same age of the victims. I imagine putting myself in their shoes and trying to succeed in the entertainment business as I endure a horrible treatment from a complete a stranger. I cannot even begin to fathom what the victims had to have experienced, but my heart goes out to them.

            As a future filmmaker, this article strongly acts as a warning for the kind of people I work with. It reminds me to always be cautious with the people I employ or work under because I never truly know if they hold a secret agenda or not. Since I am now being inspired to direct documentaries in specific, I would want to make a documentary about this whole problem as well as the rise and effects of human trafficking all over the world.

As a consumer, this impacts me because now I will pay more close attention to BBC. Although I had heard of the company previously, my whole attention was never truly focused on it, but now it will be because I would want to know how the victims are doing.

            After reading the article, I have several questions involving the victims; how are they handling the whole situation? What gave them the courage to speak up? And why does this continue to happen, especially in the media industry? Is there some sort connection to the entertainment industry and risk of being sexually abused? And if there is…what can be done to stop it?

 

San Fransisco Chronicle: BBC Scandal