VLV conference and appeal.

The line up for this years 30th anniversary Voice of the Listener and Viewer was impressive to say the least, had the founder Jocelyn Haye CBE been able to attend she'd have seen it as another example of 'kicking above their weight'.
The conference was held at the charming Geological Society in Burlington House W1.
As well as erudite figures from the press (Poly Toynbee and Richard Brooks) Media commentators like Torin Douglas and Raymond Snoddy these was the academic Prof. Steven Barnett and industry figures Steve Morrison (formerly head honcho at Granada) and Lorraine Heggessey whose CV includes the role of head of BBC 1 TV.

Venue for this years conference

Stand-out figures though were  Tony Hall the new-ish BBC DG and Peter Bazalgette (chair Arts Council) , both very impressive- I've seen most of the BBC DGs speak over the last 30 years or so and reckon Lord Hall will prove to be one of the more worthwhile holders of the post, rather patrician in style but measured and direct in response to most of the questions he fielded.  Peter Bazalgette  is a bright cookie and recognises just because we like something in the past does not mean that we can recreate it.

Here's Tony (Lord) Hall's speech and some commentary on Sir Peter's critique of the hirsute Bragg.  


Regarding BBC there does seem to be some concern of political posturing amongst the ideologues of the right who wish to emasculate the BBC (election looming) but this is something we've seen before Chris Patten, remember him  now chair of BBC Trust in an earlier life as Conservative Party Chair  he said ''Phone them, write to them, above all phone them on the spot - if necessary, jam the switchboards.') 
Also it was slightly amusing seeing Tony Hall's refusal to provide conjecture on the effects of an independent Scotland on the BBC.Also it was slightly amusing seeing Tony Hall's refusal to provide conjecture on the effects of an independent Scotland on the BBC.VLV does great lobbying for the shared cultural space that is Public service broadcasting if that's your bag do support their 30th anniversary appeal