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Grade for Pope?

Posted in Media, Branwell Johnson, Latest reporters' blogs October 18th, 2007 by Branwell Johnson

Now we have the ITV apology for its abuse of premium phone line services, the broadcaster will hope the lid is back on that particular Pandora’s box. Although Michael Grade’s comments do raise some questions.

First of all, is he a Catholic? Or can he issue Papal Bulls? Sorry but my original sin antennae quivered at the statement “These failings were not venal.” A strangely archaic word that I doubt was understood by the huge secular majority. Or maybe he was trying to reach a higher power?

The other part of his statement that caught the eye was that he will not “take a couple of token scalps.” That’s to say no senior heads are going to roll on this one. Grade sees it as more of an ITV cultural problem than individual responsibility.

It’s a bold statement when the BBC has just seen senior people step down. It would be interesting to know if anyone within ITV has volunteered to resign and been told to be quiet and get on with the job.

It remains to be seen if the public and media commentators will be satisfied with this approach or if a sacrificial lamb is necessary.

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