Copyright huffingtonpost
The BBC’s chairman has apologised for an “error of judgement” over the editing of Donald Trump in a Panorama programme. Tim Davie and the chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness resigned over claims Panorama “doctored” a speech made by the US president before the January 6 riots back in 2020. The row was sparked after the Daily Telegraph revealed a 19-page report sent to the BBC board by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the corporation’s editorial guidelines and standards committee. In a written statement to MPs on the Culture, Media and Sports Committee on Monday, chairman Samir Shah admitted the editing “did give the impression of a direct call for violent action”. He added that the BBC must still “champion impartiality” and that this principle is “more necessary now than ever before”. Shah said he will “personally ensure that the BBC continues to take the necessary actions in the future to ensure the BBC retains the trust and confidence of the public we serve”. He also called impartial, truthful and evidence-back journalism the “sacred job of the BBC”. In his letter, the chair outlined his plans to strengthen the process so the Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee (EGSC) acts much more quickly, and monitors all BBC output, not just its journalism. “I will also be changing the composition of the Committee to align better with its changed role and to ensure clearer accountability. This re-engineering of the EGSC will come before the Board in December,” Shah said. He insisted the Board would be re-visiting “each and every item set out in Michael Prescott’s note” and take further action where appropriate. Asked if Trump is suing the BBC in a separate interview, Shah said: “I do not know that yet. But he’s a litigious fellow. So we should be prepared for all outcomes.” Shah said it would have been better to “act earlier” on the Panorama documentary but rebuffed claims of systemic bias in the BBC. He also said the impression Prescott had uncovered issues that the BBC somehow missed is “far from the truth”, but action was being taken on both “individual mistakes and underlying problems”. His words comes as the spokesperson for Keir Starmer told reporters that the prime minister does not believe the BBC is “institutionally biased”. No.10 also denied Trump’s claims that some of the BBC journalists are “corrupt”.
