Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
Tony Hallis a British theatre and television administrator who served as chief executive (2001â13) of the Royal Opera House (ROH) and later as director general (2013â20) of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
After graduating (1970) from Keble College, Oxford, Hall joined the BBC in 1973 as a trainee in its Belfast, Northern Ireland, newsroom. He aspired to become a producer rather than a broadcaster and worked on a number of the BBCâs flagship radio news programs. In 1985 he was appointed editor of the BBCâs main nightly television news bulletin. Two years later, at age 36, Hall became editor of BBC TV news and current affairs. His responsibilities included overseeing the first televised coverage of the House of Commons in 1989. He was appointed head of BBC TV news and current affairs in 1990; radio news was added to his responsibilities in 1993. During that period the BBC greatly expanded its service, with a 24-hour TV news channel, a radio station devoted to news and sports, and an online service that became one of the worldâs most-viewed news websites. Also notable was BBC journalist Martin Bashirâs TV interview of Princess Diana in 1995. The program made headlines and was a huge ratings success. However, Bashir was accused of using forged documents and other forms of deception to secure Dianaâs cooperation. In 1996 Hall oversaw an internal investigation that found no wrongdoing.
In 2001 Hall left the BBC to become chief executive at Londonâs Royal Opera House. While retaining the ROHâs reputation as one of Britainâs leading cultural organizations, he broadened its appeal. He introduced low-price ticket schemes, established simulcast relays of live performances onto cinema screens across the country, and purchased the media company Opus Arte to market CDs and DVDs of ROH performances. In 2013 Hall returned to the BBC as its director general. At the time, the broadcasting system was engulfed in several scandals, most notably for failing to report evidence that its former presenter Jimmy Savile, who died in 2011, had sexually abused hundreds of women. On taking up his new post, Hall streamlined the BBCâs management and began the process of reviving not only public trust but also the morale of the BBCâs own staff. In addition, gender pay inequality became an important issue. In 2020 Hall resigned as director general to become chair of the National Galleryâs board of trustees. The following year an independent inquiry into Bashirâs interview with Princess Diana found that the journalist had used deceptive tactics and that Hallâs handling of the BBC investigation was âwoefully ineffective.â Hall subsequently resigned from the National Gallery.
Hall was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2005; in 2010 he was created a life peer as Baron Hall of Birkenhead, and he sat in the House of Lords as a crossbencher (not aligned to any political party).
