Princess Diana ‘Panorama’ Interview: BBC Apologizes, Pays Whistleblower Mark Killick ‘Significant Sum’
variety.comNaman Ramachandran The BBC and Mark Killick have reached a settlement over the infamous 1995 BBC Princess Diana “Panorama” interview.
Princess Diana was interviewed by journalist Martin Bashir on the program. An independent investigation into the program, conducted by Lord Dyson, found that the public broadcaster “fell short of the high standards of integrity and transparency which are its hallmark.” The Dyson report also found that Bashir used deceitful methods to gain access to Princess Diana, including allegedly forging bank statements.Killick, formerly a “Panorama” senior reporter and producer, informed the BBC about the forged bank statements.
His position was terminated within a day. “The BBC’s attempt to try and destroy my reputation rather than investigate my concerns shows just how desperate the BBC was to hide what had happened,” Killick said. “It was an extraordinary attempt to cover up wrongdoing and the climate of fear it created may well have stopped other BBC whistleblowers from speaking out for a generation.
I still find it staggering that the BBC was so determined to conceal the truth that it launched a smear campaign against me to protect its tainted scoop.” “I am grateful to [BBC director general] Tim Davie and his team for finally setting the record straight.
Read more on variety.com