London (AFP)
BBC chief executive Tony Hall announced on Monday that he would resign from the British media giant next summer, faced with the challenge of winning over a new audience and delicacy with the power of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
In his letter of resignation, Mr. Hall explains that his decision was "difficult" to make after seven years in office, but that he wishes to give priority to "the interests of the organization".
The BBC has a charter that secures its mission by 2027 and will be reviewed mid-term in the spring of 2022. Mr. Hall believes "just" that his successor is in place before this review.
Mr. Hall highlighted the values defended by his media.
"In the era of fake news, we remain the benchmark for impartiality and truth. What the BBC represents is precious for this country," he said.
He declared that he was leaving a medium which had become "more innovative, more open, more inclusive, more vigilant commercially" but which had to continue to adapt and to reform.
The BBC must "do more" to attract a young audience, otherwise it risks losing "a generation" of potential contributors to the license fee (154.50 pounds sterling, or 178 euros) which is its main source of income, warned last October the British audiovisual regulator, Ofcom.
But Ofcom also recalled that the BBC is sometimes seen as representing a "white petty bourgeoisie" centered on London.
The public media was criticized, on the right as on the left, for its treatment of the campaign for the legislative elections last month.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson came up for a drop in the fee and a reduction in fines for those who do not pay it, calling into question the funding of the group which employs more than 2,000 journalists.
The BBC is also facing an internal sling on the issue of equal pay. Feeling disadvantaged compared to their male colleagues, several presenters sued her.
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