BBC boss, head of news resign over Trump speech edit
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British Broadcasting Corporation director general Tim Davie and the chief executive of news Deborah Turness have resigned following criticism over bias at the broadcaster including the way it edited a speech by US President Donald Trump.
The BBC had been under mounting pressure after an internal report by a former standards adviser was leaked to the Daily Telegraph newspaper which cited failings in its coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, transgender issues and a speech made by Trump.
Trump welcomed the departures, criticising the two as “very dishonest people” after the BBC’s flagship Panorama program edited two parts of one of his speeches together so he appeared to be encouraging the Capitol Hill riot of January 2021.
In a statement, Davie said: “This is entirely my decision, and I remain very thankful to the chair and board for their unswerving and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure, including during recent days.
“I have been reflecting on the very intense personal and professional demands of managing this role over many years in these febrile times, combined with the fact that I want to give a successor time to help shape the charter plans they will be delivering.
“Overall the BBC is delivering well but there have been some mistakes made and as director-general I have to take ultimate responsibility.”
In the Panorama documentary broadcast last year, Trump was shown telling his supporters that “we’re going to walk down to the Capitol” and that they would “fight like hell”, a comment he made in a different part of his speech.
He had actually said his supporters would “cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women”.
Trump, in a social media post, accused the two executives of having tried to influence a US presidential election.
“On top of everything else, they are from a Foreign Country, one that many consider our Number One Ally. What a terrible thing for Democracy!” he said.
Turness said the controversy about the Trump documentary “has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC – an institution that I love. As the CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the buck stops with me.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reacted on X, posting a screen grab of an article headlined “Trump goes to war with ‘fake news’ BBC” beside another about Davie’s resignation, with the words “shot” and “chaser.”
Davie will stay on for the next few months while a replacement is found.
A person familiar with the situation said Davie’s decision had left the BBC board stunned by the move.
Widely respected around the world, the BBC has in recent years been accused of failing to maintain its commitment to impartial news, struggling to navigate the deeply polarised political and social environment.
The BBC faces greater scrutiny than other broadcasters because of its status as a UK institution funded through an annual licence fee of STG174.50 ($A352) paid by all households with a television.
It also is bound by the terms of its charter to be impartial in its output.
The BBC has to negotiate a new charter with the UK government in 2027 to guarantee its finances.
with AP and PA
Reuters
