BBC chair Samir Shah has said the corporation’s journalists
should stop 'cashing in' by hosting events or making paid speeches outside the
BBC.
In his first interview since being appointed to the role
last year, Shah told The Times that he wanted to put an end to the practice.
He said: “It’s a privilege to work for the BBC. You should
just stick to it. When the public see stars cashing in they think, ‘What the
hell are these people doing?’”
He added that BBC presenters “are already paid a significant
amount of money” and if they feel they are underpaid and could earn more elsewhere,
they should leave. “No one’s forcing you to work for us.”
BBC presenters have faced criticisms for hosting events and
making speeches for private companies, with accusations that they are capitalising
on the BBC brand.
In December 2024 BBC news anchor Clive Myrie apologised for
failing to declare at least £145,000 for 28 speaking events he undertook
outside his role at the corporation.
Myrie blamed the error on "several administrative
issues" and said he will not be taking part in paid external events for
the "foreseeable future".
