Birt, John (1944– )

English television executive, director general (chief executive) of the BBC 1992–2000. His initial television work was in current affairs, especially World In Action, and with Peter Jay (1937– ) he proposed an approach to reporting that placed emphasis on giving greater context to news and opinion. He gained a seat in the House of Lords in 2000 and became an advisor to the Labour government in areas such as crime and transport.

At the commercial station London Weekend Television 1974–87 he moved from head of current affairs to controller of programmes, then left to become the BBC's deputy director general in the same year. His time at the BBC was controversial, characterized by a drive to streamline production processes, at the same time separating production from the commissioning of programming; and by the bringing together of radio and television news and current affairs operations. He was knighted in 1998.