Latest news with #RogerMosey
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
University freedom of speech 'better than it was'
Free speech was stifled at the University of Cambridge in recent years but has since "got better", according to a departing college master. Roger Mosey, the master of Selwyn College, said: "For a period I think we were in rather a difficult spot when that freedom was not as strong as it should have been." He was "delighted" former minister Lord Smith had been elected as the university's chancellor because he had campaigned on a platform of free speech and academic freedom. The university has been approached for comment. Mosey, who is the former head of BBC television news, said universities were supposed to be about free speech, free ideas and academic freedom. He spoke to the BBC after writing about the "chilling" atmosphere felt by some academics in the Telegraph. "One of the things I say to students when they come to Selwyn is they may hear views they may find upsetting, they may not agree with people, but that's part of being at a university - and if someone says something you disagree with, challenge them. "I think that's what was difficult three, four or five years ago." From this summer, a new law will place a stronger responsibility on universities in England to uphold freedom of speech and academic freedom. Mosey, who is standing down as Selwyn's master after 12 years, said: "My point is, you can both say, 'I'm in favour of free speech' and be in favour of trans rights or gender rights or racial rights or whatever. "I think we got into this weird position where somehow free speech was seen as undermining people, whereas I think a debate strengthens you - it makes you better able to defend yourself if you can debate." Debates within universities on such issues were not "really connected to the outside world", he added. "If you talk to people in towns and cities and villages across the region, they're not having the debates that are happening in university," he said. "[University freedom of speech] was bad about five years ago and it's got better now and I think it's got better because I think society's changed a bit - I think we're a little bit more relaxed now about some issues." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Cambridge University votes to protect free speech Students want free-speech clarity but universities fear catch-22 Related internet links Selwyn College, Cambridge
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Cambridge university freedom of speech 'better than it was'
Free speech was stifled at the University of Cambridge in recent years but has since "got better", according to a departing college Mosey, the master of Selwyn College, said: "For a period I think we were in rather a difficult spot when that freedom was not as strong as it should have been."He was "delighted" former minister Lord Smith had been elected as the university's chancellor because he had campaigned on a platform of free speech and academic university has been approached for comment. Mosey, who is the former head of BBC television news, said universities were supposed to be about free speech, free ideas and academic spoke to the BBC after writing about the "chilling" atmosphere felt by some academics in the Telegraph."One of the things I say to students when they come to Selwyn is they may hear views they may find upsetting, they may not agree with people, but that's part of being at a university - and if someone says something you disagree with, challenge them."I think that's what was difficult three, four or five years ago."From this summer, a new law will place a stronger responsibility on universities in England to uphold freedom of speech and academic freedom. Mosey, who is standing down as Selwyn's master after 12 years, said: "My point is, you can both say, 'I'm in favour of free speech' and be in favour of trans rights or gender rights or racial rights or whatever."I think we got into this weird position where somehow free speech was seen as undermining people, whereas I think a debate strengthens you - it makes you better able to defend yourself if you can debate."Debates within universities on such issues were not "really connected to the outside world", he added."If you talk to people in towns and cities and villages across the region, they're not having the debates that are happening in university," he said. "[University freedom of speech] was bad about five years ago and it's got better now and I think it's got better because I think society's changed a bit - I think we're a little bit more relaxed now about some issues." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Media Show Afghan data breach superinjunction, Future of the BBC, Tour de France
This week a super-injunction was lifted that allowed the press to report on a story it's known about for some time – the Ministry of Defence's leaking of personal details of almost 19,000 Afghan people who had applied to move to the UK. The Times's Larisa Brown tells us how she, alongside other journalists, fought the super-injunction. The BBC's Annual Report has contained some good news for the organisation, but has been overshadowed by recent controversies. We assess its future with the BBC's former Editorial Director, Roger Mosey, and The Financial Times's Daniel Thomas. As new TV show Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters begins on ITV, we hear from creative director of Plimsoll Productions Andrea Jackson about what it takes to develop a new format blending entertainment and natural history. This is the last year that the Tour de France will be on free-to-air TV in the UK. Rachel Jary, staff writer at Rouleur, and Chris Boardman, Active Travel Commissioner and former racing cyclist, discuss how the media covers the race. Producer: Lucy Wai Assistant Producers: Emily Channon and Martha Owen
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Gary Lineker's political outbursts have been 'deeply damaging' says former boss as insiders say his BBC career 'looks untenable' and speculation grows he will leave corporation early after Zionism rat row
Gary Lineker 's former boss at the BBC has told how the footballer-turned-pundit's political outbursts have been 'deeply damaging' amid speculation he will leave the corporation early following a Zionism rat row. Roger Mosey, who used to head up the BBC's News but is now master of Selwyn College, Cambridge, wrote in the Times at a time when Lineker's position 'looks untenable' after the latest of a series of controversial posts by him in the last few years. The long-standing sports broadcaster, 64, was condemned this week for posting a reel on Instagram, which he then deleted, about Zionism which included the anti-Semitic symbol of a rat. His post faced backlash from sections of the Jewish community, and he quickly deleted it and issued an unreserved apology, claiming not to have been aware of the anti-Semitic connotations. Mr Lineker, who was paid £1.4million by the BBC last year, had shared the post, originally uploaded by another account, as it featured a critique of Zionism. The BBC stalwart has been vocal with his views on the Israeli invasion of Gaza following the October 7 attacks and has been a vocal supporter of Palestinians. Lineker said on Wednesday: 'On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references. 'I very much regret these references. I would never knowingly share anything anti-Semitic. It goes against everything I believe in. The post was removed as soon as I became aware of the issue. 'Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters. 'I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views. It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly.' Despite the apology, rumours have been swirling this week that Lineker could leave the BBC early, having previously been contracted to continue working for the corporation through to the 2026 World Cup. He also previously sparked a row when in 2023 by comparing the then-government's rhetoric over its immigration policy to that of Nazi Germany. The remark triggered a BBC suspension but this was lifted when colleagues walked out in support of the presenter. Mr Mosey wrote in the Times that Lineker could even leave as early as next week following his last Match Of The Day show. In a recent interview, Lineker told Amol Rajan: 'Perhaps they want me to leave.' A source in the sports journalism industry told Mr Mosey: 'The deal for him to continue for another year was always bizarre, but now looks untenable.' Lineker is contracted to front the BBC's FA Cup coverage next season, as well as the World Cup, but some reports - which were not denied by senior sources - have suggested his position is now tenuous. In an interview with the Telegraph this week, Mr Lineker described what is going on in Gaza as 'beyond depraved.' He said: 'We still seem to be on the side of the people who are doing this. We're still supplying arms. 'And you think, "Wow, how?" The vast majority of people see it for what it is now.' He added fuel to the fire earlier this week over an unrelated issue - as he appeared to take a swipe at the BBC's director of sport as of last year, Alex Kay-Jelski, saying he 'wants to change Match of the Day a bit'. One BBC staff member claimed the combination of sharing the rat emoji and making the comments about Kay-Jelski could prove lethal. They said: 'That is being seen as a real dig at the head of sport, which you just don't do. 'But for it to come so soon after the social media controversy makes it a real problem for him.' Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, responded to a question on Wednesday over whether Mr Lineker had broken corporation rules, following a landmark speech in Salford. He said: 'The BBC's reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.
The Guardian
03-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
BBC's Gaza film has issues, but we should be allowed to see it
Roger Mosey, the former head of BBC television news, may be right that 'basic rookie errors' were made over the BBC's film featuring relatives of Hamas officials, but I doubt it's that simple (Culture secretary to hold urgent meeting with BBC chair over Gaza film, 28 February). As a former TV commissioner, I have been asked to conduct investigations into editorial misdemeanours. In every case it came down either to a member of the production team having not been straight with the producer, or the producer not being straight with the broadcaster. No matter how much small print is added to the contracts between broadcasters and producers, nothing works in factual programming without trust. Factual programmes throw up myriads of unforeseen problems that must be resolved between the film-makers and the broadcaster. But having resolved them and made the appropriate editorial changes, including adding missing information, these programmes were then broadcast without further issue. Unless there is some unresolvable issue with it, Gaza – How to Survive a War Zone must be put back on BBC iPlayer, with appropriate changes, as soon as possible so we can all see it and judge it for GrimsdaleFormer commissioner, BBC and Channel 4 Last summer I was Save the Children's interim response team leader in Gaza. I watched Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone when it was still on BBC iPlayer. In many respects, it accurately portrayed what it was like to be in Gaza during active hostilities. In 20 years of humanitarian work, it was the hardest response to which I have been deployed. The documentary centred on three children who were clearly affected by what they were experiencing, and who showed courage and resilience in the face of horror. But the film gave a misleading impression, as the situation depicted for two of them was more privileged than that of the great majority I met. It gave the impression that the lives children were facing in Gaza were better than they actually were. The controversy around the film distracts attention from the plight of hundreds of thousands of children suffering harm in SkinnerSevenoaks, Kent Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
