The right of Britain's investigative journalists to quote single-sources in stories is under question following Lord Hutton's report, according to former BBC director-general Greg Dyke.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday, Mr Dyke defended the corporation's right to broadcast the concerns of an anonymous, but reputable, source.

"Lord Hutton does seem to suggest that it's not enough… to simply report what they say, even if they are an authoritative source.

"They have to demonstrate that it is true - and that would change the law in this country."

Lord Hutton led the investigation into the suicide of weapons expert Dr David Kelly, who was named as a government source for a news report on BBC Radio 4 into Iraq's weapons programme - a key issue in the UK government's case for war. The report was critical of the BBC's editorial processes, and three members of staff - including director-general Greg Dyke - consequently resigned.

But both Mr Dyke and former chairman Gavin Davies, who also resigned, have questioned Lord Hutton's findings.

"It's not only the BBC that should be concerned if that line is followed, but I think it is every journalistic organisation, every newspaper, every broadcaster in the country."

Granville Williams, editor of the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom's Free Press magzine, told dotJournalism that Mr Dyke's comments would have been the result of a careful and considered legal analysis of Lord Hutton's report.

"I think it was quite clear that what Greg Dyke was saying tapped into advice from the BBC lawyers," said Mr Williams.

"It's gone quiet in the past few days, but I think he made it clear he will spend a couple of weeks drafting his own response."

Lord Hutton does not understand journalism, said Mr Williams, and the findings of his report could initiate an exercise in freedom of information.

"If Greg Dyke does decide to mount a legal challenge to the findings of this inquiry, it will be about the scope and function of journalism in seeking for partial truths to uncover the truth."

Mr Williams also expressed his concern for the reputation of the BBC, which he believes is about to enter two highly politicised years leading up to charter renewal in 2006.

"It is particularly worrying that in some quarters Andrew Gilligan is now being portrayed as an unscrupulous tabloid hack," said Mr Williams.

"That is nonsense - he was employed to go after exclusives.

"There is a fear that the BBC will come under pressure not to do this kind of reporting, that it might lead to a more cautious 'triple source' style."

Former Sunday Times editor Harold Evans today announced that he has written to the government to ask for a Royal Commission on the press.

Speaking on the BBC Radio 4's The World at One programme on Wednesday lunchtime, he said that the public has grown distrustful of journalists and needs an opportunity to vent its misgivings.

"Journalistic standards are not understood by the public," he said.

"They don't understand the lengths that journalists go to check their facts and their sources. Editors and journalists need to ensure that the news process is better understood."

• More than 2,000 BBC journalists around the UK are expected to join a nationwide protest on 5 February.

"The Hutton report poses a real and grave threat to journalism," said Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).

"It will inevitably mean journalists face greater pressure to reveal their sources and will make sources and whistleblowers think twice before coming forward."

See also:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today
http://www.cpbf.org.uk
http://www.the-hutton-inquiry.org.uk
http://www.nuj.org.uk

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