BBC Director General Tim Davie and News Chief Deborah Turness have resigned after mounting criticism over alleged political bias at the broadcaster, including the editing of a speech by U.S. 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 President Trump.
Compiled by a former standards adviser, the report listed multiple editorial errors — including a segment in the Panorama documentary that appeared to misleadingly splice together two separate parts of Trump’s 6 January, 2021 speech. The edit, the report said, made it seem as though Trump had directly encouraged the Capitol riots.
Tim Davie, who has led the British Broadcasting Corporation since 2020, defended the organisation, saying its journalism was seen as the gold standard around the world. But he said mistakes had been made and he had to take ultimate responsibility.
“This is entirely my decision,” Davie said in a statement. “I remain very thankful to the Chair and Board for their unswerving and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure, including during recent days.”
Davie added that he wanted to allow his successor time to “shape the Charter plans they will be delivering,” acknowledging the “intense personal and professional demands” of leading the corporation.
Meanwhile, Deborah Turness, the CEO of BBC News, also resigned. In an email to staff she said, "I want to be absolutely clear recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong."
The pair are expected to remain in their roles temporarily to ensure a smooth transition.
Trump welcomed the departures, criticising the two as "very dishonest people" after the BBC's flagship Panorama programme edited two parts of one of his speeches together so he appeared to be encouraging the Capitol Hill riot of January 2021.
The controversy reignited fierce debate over media neutrality in the United Kingdom. Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, blasted the BBC as “100% fake news” and a “propaganda machine” in comments published on Friday.
The British Broadcasting Company - widely respected
Widely respected around the world, the BBC still tops polls in Britain on the most trusted news brand and has huge reach in the country, providing news, entertainment and sport.
But the corporation, which is funded by a licence fee paid by all television-watching households, comes under intense scrutiny from some national newspapers and critics on social media, which object to its funding model and perceived liberal stance.
It has in recent years been accused of failing to maintain its commitment to impartial news by critics on both sides of the political divide, struggling to navigate the fractious political and cultural environment.
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