Davos 07: Junket? You decide...

Word reaches me from London that the Evening Standard has favoured me with a picture and a news story suggesting I am leading a BBC delegation on a "junket" to a ski resort at the licence fee payers expense. They are, of course, entitled to their view, but let me put a few points on the record. My return economy flight cost 100 pounds, I am staying in a 2 star hotel - the cheapest available here (as are all BBC staff) and although it's true half that cost is covered by the BBC's public funding, the other half is covered by the commercial revenue of BBC World - the advertising supported international news channel we run which has no public funding of any kind. Like our competitiors CNN, CNBC and AL Jazeera we believe it's important the CEO is here to make contacts and promote the channel .

As for the other BBC staff here, they are all, I can vouch, working extremely long hours serving BBC World, BBC News24, BBC1 and BBC2, Radio 4, Radio 5Live, the World Service and more. A junket? I don't think so, but you decide. Comments welcome.

Comments

[John Connell]

Does anyone who knows anything, Richard, pay any attention whatsoever to the Standard or the Mail? If either has a go at you you can be sure that you are doing something right!

[Richard s]

That's what I like - reader loyalty!

[Euan Semple]

One of the nice things about leaving the BBC is that I now get to stay in decent hotels!