So, the BBC have decided to let football presenter, Gary Lineker, go from his job at Match of the Day. Another decision that shows the gutlessness at the heart of the Corporation. 

Yes, Lineker is paid a huge amount of money (around £1.3 million) to present the weekly programme along with other shows. But Lineker is very good at what he does.

There can be little doubt that other rival channels will compete for the former England international’s services.

The decision to let Lineker go seems likely to be because of his controversial Tweets. His comments about issues like the previous Conservative Government's immoral asylum policies attracted criticism from that government and right-wing media - he was, though, absolutely right in what he was saying.

There was a huge furore last year when Lineker was suspended and fellow presenters - in an act of solidarity - went on strike in support. Lineker was reinstated.

Issues of free speech were and are at stake, something that seems to have been withdrawn at the BBC for high-profile presenters.

But what the latest Lineker developments betray is an organisation that appears to have totally lost its way. 

Cllr Paul Donovan is concerned about the future of the BBCCllr Paul Donovan is concerned about the future of the BBC The BBC management has cynically overseen budget cuts forced on it by government. It has used the shortage of funding as an excuse to further slash journalistic resources and dumb down. Journalists have gone, and news coverage has been further devalued.

Meanwhile, more and more seems to be spent on trashy quizzes and reality TV - often hosted by washed-up soap stars. This stream of banality provides a source of ready ammunition for those opposed to the very existence of the BBC.

Popular programmes have been cut. So, for example, the popular Autumnwatch has gone, whilst the weekly, Countryfile, has now been reduced to an archive programme, lacking original content.

The Beeb has a habit of capitulating at times of trouble, rather than rallying support amongst the public and opposing the onslaught. Its current direction will see the gradual erosion of that public support.

This is not to say that all is lost. BBC news coverage remains amongst the most trusted by the public. The corporation continues to produce some great dramas like the recent adaptation of Hilary Mantel's The Mirror and the Light and previously Mr Loverman. - even if these dramatic triumphs do have to be set against a background of inane cop-based dross.

The BBC urgently needs to rediscover its role at the heart of the nation. The present chipping away at all that is good in its content will only hasten its demise.

  • Paul Donovan is Labour councillor for Wanstead Village ward, Redbridge Council and a blogger (paulfdonovan.blogspot.com).