BBC under pressure amid scandals

LONDON -- The bungling of reports that powerful Britons sexually abused children has thrown one of the most respected broadcasters in the world into a deep crisis.

The BBC's influence stretches throughout the former British empire and beyond. Over the years, the BBC has been behind almost all of the U.K.'s broadcast milestones, serving as a voice for the British nation.

The head of the BBC's governing body, Chris Patten, called yesterday for an overhaul of the broadcaster. That could mean many things for the sprawling organization that has long emphasized its obligations to the public.

Last month, the BBC drew fire after it emerged that its "Newsnight" program had shelved an investigation into child sexual abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile, the broadcaster's renowned TV host who died last year.

Amid public outrage, BBC director general George Entwistle announced internal inquiries into why the "Newsnight" investigation was canned as well as the BBC's "culture and practices" during the years Savile worked there.

But then, "Newsnight" wrongly implicated a British politician in a sex-abuse claims program that aired Nov. 2.

The BBC apologized for airing the program, which Entwistle said he had not been made aware of. That stance drew incredulity from politicians and media watchers wondering if he was out of touch or inept. The criticism reached fever pitch, and Entwistle decided to resign Saturday.

A day later, Patten, the head of the BBC Trust, called for a "thorough, radical structural overhaul" of the broadcaster.

Most recent changes were ushered in by Mark Thompson, who preceded Entwistle as BBC director general. He is to assume the role of chief executive of The New York Times Co. today, but faces questions over the BBC's decision to kill the "Newsnight" program on Savile -- which occurred while he was still in charge.

Public trust in the BBC has been declining for decades, according to polls, and the latest scandals are unlikely to help.

Entwistle may have quit, but observers say the BBC Trust, which ensures the broadcaster stays true to its public obligations, deserves scrutiny, too. Patten is expected to lay out plans Monday for how to deal with the aftermath, and many expect more BBC resignations as the fallout spreads.