BBC archive footage (Huw Edwards)

[TheTripThatWasnt]

There's a story on the BBC page today about the removal of archive footage with Huw Edwards in it. I totally get why they're doing that.

It got me thinking about footage that would be counted as being almost a historical record though. Like announcing the death of the Queen. It's the kind of thing people refer back to, and was a completely unique moment in time which feels like it should be captured for future generations, but will they/should they want HE footage still being available?

Also things like the Queen's funeral. If I was editorially responsible at the BBC, I'd be getting the voiceover for that re-done with a different presenter. But I wonder if they will...

Normally there are months between someone being charged and a trial verdict, so planning for different eventualities can take place, but having pleaded guilty there is a need for quick action in this instance.

Unless he gains financially from the re-airing of footage, it should be left as it was. It's documentary evidence of life at that time, and doesn't in any way lesson the gravity of what he did. In a way, it's the opposite for me: here's this person, look how prevalent he was in our lives, and here's what we know about him now.

Also things like the Queen's funeral. If I was editorially responsible at the BBC, I'd be getting the voiceover for that re-done with a different presenter. But I wonder if they will...

It wouldn't be a historic archive if they did. It'd be a remake. Future generations would be being misled about who announced the news, and who lead coverage of the funeral.

It's unfortunately going to be the case that Huw did most of the Queen's coverage; as he was the most senior newsreader. He was also heavily involved in all the planning and prep.

They should remove the general archive from public view, but retain important historical events. We can't change that he delivered that news now.

The only alternative to that is to just not have that footage available, but to be honest, even if the BBC wipes it, it'll exist somewhere.

also talking about removing baftas

Also things like the Queen's funeral. If I was editorially responsible at the BBC, I'd be getting the voiceover for that re-done with a different presenter. But I wonder if they will...

No because that would be rewriting history, it may be that there’s some kind of disclaimer across that kind of footage in the future, like when some things now are stamped as being offensive now but at the time were felt to be more socially acceptable.

Removing BAFTAs or other awards is different to adjusting news footage.

i am glad totp have removed any footage of jimmy saville

I agree.

i am glad mostly not to hear any gary glitter on the radio

Ministry of Truth will deal with this

This is a different scenario - it has come out that Savile sometimes groped the young people around him while he was live on air in the TOTP studio - so leaving that footage in would risk not only showing his victims, but possibly his victims in the moment of sexual abuse. It can't be compared to footage of Huw Edwards reading the news.

Quite!

Ah yes - I hadn't really thought about the 'rewriting history' aspect. This all makes a lot of sense.