Andrew Wilson: As the mob devours the BBC, a Herculean effort can deliver better leaders THE mission of the BBC, set out in its public purposes by Royal Charter and Agreement, could not be more inspired: "To enrich people's lives by programmes and services that educate, inform and entertain." And whatever our take on the licence fee or politics, there is not a truthful citizen in the land who wouldn't say that, in some way, it has delivered on that mission for our own life. For me, its nature documentaries, world news and sport have been a huge part of the person I have become and it has truly enriched my life. Within the great institution that it has grown to become there is remarkable talent and devotion to its purpose. There is misdirection too - why I have to pay a tax to get Strictly I will never know - but the collective strengths outweigh its weaknesses, which is why it has commanded such trust and affection for so long. But not now. Because Aunty has, in its handling of the scandals of recent weeks, become the latest victim to a phenomenon of our age that I believe will not stop until it has created nothing short of a new era in our history. I feel sorry for the BBC, collectively and individually. I long ago took the view that we have become too brutal and unforgiving of public figures and leaders. I understand why the public mood is as it is, because it is such an ill-divided world. But I find the ferocity of criticism when human flaws are exposed to be quite frightening and ultimately destructive. This column is not intended to be about those scandals but about the phenomenon they have been swept up in. The mood is supercharged, and in the atmosphere is lightning looking for new places to strike and strike again until its work is done and it can move on. Every major institution in life is going through the same process or is about to: the churches, parliament, sport, banks, big business, markets, global institutions - shaken to their foundations by a relentless criticism of the public gaze exposing every frailty in real time. Reform is needed almost everywhere we look, and how institutions and leaders deal with that process is one of the great tests of our time. But an age of reform we are undoubtedly in. There is deep wisdom in many old stories that can help us. We remember the labours of Hercules in Greek mythology. The colossal herds of King Augeas had created a huge festering mess in the stables, which had never been cleaned. Agreeing to clean it in a day, Hercules didn't just shovel the muck in front of him in a never-ending task. His genius was to divert two rivers which washed away decades of neglect and cleansed it all. That lateral wisdom is precisely what the leaders of all institutions in life today need to have in mind as they face into an era where change and reform is being asked of all. All the stables must be cleansed, and shovelling the daily load is not enough. And don't forget, the King didn't thank Hercules for his success, he banished him. But as we sup our Sunday coffee, my challenge would be that this is not a spectator sport. One other story from ancient times demonstrates the tyranny of the unedited or intermediated mob. Given the choice between Jesus and a violent robber called Barabbas, the Passover crowd in Jerusalem chose to free Barabbas. I never truly understood why. But then it was to appease the mob that Pontius Pilate complied with their wishes. He could have chosen either. So there we have in a nutshell the deal we must all strike as citizens. We get the leaders we deserve, as de Tocqueville said. The privilege of office requires strength, courage and judgment that is truly rare among us all. But the privilege of being led carries responsibility also, and that, I believe, is a burden increasing on all citizens now. We are better informed and empowered than ever before. We cannot stand by as the mob consumes our leaders, institutions and ultimately itself. In a world where gossip passes electronically and imprints for all time, we cannot afford loose talk. It truly can destroy lives. We are the mob, the mob is I. But by the same token the festering neglect of the establishments that led many institutions is now exposed and happily will stand no more. So together this is a huge opportunity to create a new age with new institutions and a better order. But the way we go about it all will matter too. The journey in this case will help determine the end. We know from harsh experience that the leaders of all of our institutions are but mortals. We need to encourage public service though if we are to attract the best. It sounds heretical, I know, but when it comes to leaders and public figures, the time is coming when we should perhaps be gentler with them and tougher on ourselves. Twitter: @AndrewWilsonAJW