Roger Bolton

RTS London discuss the hunt for the next BBC Director General

In a month that saw No.10 Downing Street train its guns on the BBC, Bolton was pointing out how difficult the job has become. With current Director-General Tony Hall leaving the BBC in the summer to take over as chair of the National Gallery, the search is on for candidates.

There are serious issues to address for an incoming D-G: the Government wants to decriminalise failure to pay the licence fee; the decision by the BBC to make over-75s not on benefits begin paying the licence fee again this year; and the decline in young people accessing BBC services.

Watch: Steve Hewlett in conversation with Roger Bolton

Steve Hewlett is the presenter of Radio 4’s Media Show and was previously the editor of Panorama. In that role, he was responsible for some of the key scoops of the last 30 years, including the exclusive 1995 interview with Princess Diana watched by nearly 23 million people.

He reflected on his life and career at this Media Society event, held with support from the Royal Television Society at the BBC Radio Theatre.

With thanks to John Mair for producing the event and to the BBC for the clips.

Event report: An Evening with Steve Hewlett

So it is with Steve Hewlett, presenter of Radio 4’s Media Show and a person who is responsible for some of the most important TV scoops of the last 30 years.

The 1995 Panorama interview with Princess Diana, edited on his watch, was seen by almost 23 million viewers.

Hewlett has also worked on programmes covering The Troubles in Northern Ireland, including a film on Bloody Sunday, and tracked down Colonel Gaddafi.  

Back in March, Steve was told by doctors that he was suffering from a very aggressive form of cancer.