Times: We’re behind Thompson in scandal

The number of women who may have been abused by former BBC host Jimmy Savile has grown to more than 300, and new New York Times chief executive officer Mark Thompson is coming under increasing scrutiny for his role in the alleged cover up of the scandal.

But his new employer is standing behind him.

Yesterday Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. voiced his support for Thompson, who was director general of the public broadcaster when a segment on the newsmagazine “Newsnight” looking into the allegations was spiked.

That came just two months after Savile’s death last year, as the BBC was readying a tribute to the popular entertainer.

Sulzberger said during a call discussing the Times’ third-quarter earnings yesterday that he believed Thompson “played no role” in squelching the “Newsnight” story.

Thompson has said he was unaware of the allegations and did not urge “Newsnight” to stay quiet.

The British government has launched an inquiry into the Savile abuse allegations. Police investigating the matter have spoken with 130 alleged victims, according to reports, most of whom were raped or abused as teenagers.
 

Tags: Arthur Sulzberger Jr., bbc, bbc scandal, jimmy savile, mark thompson, new york times, Publisher Sulzberger, scandal, tv, Yesterday Times