The disgrace of Huw Edwards poses many huge challenges for the BBC.
These are issues for the corporation itself and society as a whole which will be widely discussed elsewhere.
But it also poses huge challenges concerning the use of archive material.
According to reports over the weekend, the BBC is “deleting” material from its archive.
I hope, and presume, this means that some material will simply not be routinely available – the actual destruction of material is wrong in principle.
One of the first moves concerned the removal of an episode of Doctor Who from the iPlayer which included a cameo by Edwards.
In time, I would hope a re-edited version is available.
Generally I do not like re-editing material because things which were acceptable at the time it was made are no longer deemed appropriate.
I quite understand why the name of Guy Gibson’s dog in The Dambusters causes hurt and offence but I also believe most people are intelligent enough to understand the context.
But removing a cameo appearance by a disgraced figure from a programme which could otherwise still be enjoyed is a different matter.
No programme featuring Edwards should ever be seen again.
But what about clips of the moments of historic importance which he anchored?
From the unfolding horror of September 11 to the opening of the London Olympics and the death of the Queen and the Coronation of the new King, he is part of the story of our times.
This is a tricky one.
On balance, I think we have to accept that it will be impossible to use any footage of BBC coverage which includes Edwards’ face or voice.
It distorts the story by doing this. Far more people, for instance, heard Edwards announce the Queen’s death than heard his counterparts on other channels.
But the sad truth is that any clip with Edwards at the helm would now distract from the story and cause upset to some.
The choice would therefore be between using other parts of the BBC’s coverage or – say – using material from another channel.
I would not approve of any doctoring of BBC material to use another voice or presenter – that is unethical and as bad as it’s destruction.
The thoughts of any decent person at this time must be with innocent children. Internet crime is not victimless.
But Edwards also let down his colleagues in BBC News and millions of viewers – those who watched him every night and trusted him in difficult and upsetting moments.
Acknowledgements
PICTURED: Huw Edwards. COPYRIGHT: BBC.