UK: Ex-BBC Anchor Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges
The Facts
Former BBC News at Ten presenter Huw Edwards pled guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to three counts of making indecent images of children.
Edwards was sent a total of 377 sexually explicit images by an adult male on WhatsApp — 41 of those were indecent images of children. Of the 41, seven were considered to be in the worst category and mostly included children believed to be between 13 and 15. One child was estimated to be between seven and nine.
The Spin
Narrative A
The BBC was shocked to hear of Huw Edward's crimes. The outlet condemns such behavior and, as internal policy mandates, had the former presenter still been employed following the verdict his contract would've been immediately terminated. The BBC strives to uphold the highest standards of integrity. Throughout these events, it allowed its independent editorial team the freedom to scrutinize and inform to the best of its capabilities.
Narrative B
While talk about Huw Edward's uncomfortable relationship with younger staffers had existed for some time, the long-time face of the BBC's admission of possessing child pornography has left the UK in a state of shock. Edward's crimes will once again reopen questions surrounding the BBC's current culture and future existence as he becomes yet another high-profile employee to be an exposed pedophile.
