Copyright Deadline
EXCLUSIVE: BBC News’ top boss has acknowledged it’s been a testing week for the UK broadcaster. In an email to staff on Friday (full text below), Deborah Turness provided something of a pep talk for journalists after a string of bruising revelations about BBC News’ output. Turness, the former president of NBC News International, said: “I’m writing to you today because it’s always difficult when the BBC becomes a story – as it has, in some quarters, this week. “Like you, I work here because I care passionately about trusted news and impartial journalism. I take pride every day in the quality and consistency of BBC News, and I know that is down to all of you – your unwavering commitment to our editorial values and your expertise.” It follows The Daily Telegraph obtaining a leaked memo attacking BBC News output. The document was penned by Michael Prescott, who was an external adviser to the BBC board’s Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee until June. The 19-page memo revealed how a BBC Panorama documentary selectively edited Donald Trump’s January 6 speech to make it appear as if the president was encouraging the 2021 Capitol riot. It also accused BBC Arabic of having an anti-Israel agenda and alleged that the corporation had been “captured by a small group of people” promoting a pro-trans agenda. Prescott’s concerns have prompted questions from Ofcom and UK Parliament’s influential Culture, Media and Sport Committee. Prescott was due to give evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee next week, but the hearing has been postponed. BBC chair Samir Shah, who sat on the corporation’s Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee alongside Prescott, will write to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Monday with his response to the allegations. Turness said: “The chairman will be providing a full response on Monday, and this will be shared with you, but I felt it was important for me to come to you as CEO of BBC News before the end of the week.” She thanked staff for coverage of the migrant crisis and the “horrendous” knife attack on a British train last weekend, which left 11 injured. “Thank you for all that you do,” Turness said. Hello everyone, I’m writing to you today because it’s always difficult when the BBC becomes a story – as it has, in some quarters, this week. Like you, I work here because I care passionately about trusted news and impartial journalism. I take pride every day in the quality and consistency of BBC News, and I know that is down to all of you – your unwavering commitment to our editorial values and your expertise. You will all have seen the news coverage following the leaking of a letter to the BBC Board from Michael Prescott, who is a former advisor to the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee (EGSC). The EGSC is a sub-committee of the BBC Board. You will also be aware that following this week’s coverage, the BBC Chairman has received a letter from Caroline Dinenage, the Chair of the Commons Culture, Media & Sport Committee seeking reassurance from the BBC. The Chairman will be providing a full response on Monday, and this will be shared with you, but I felt it was important for me to come to you as CEO of BBC News before the end of the week. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for another week that saw a relentless news agenda. It began with the horrendous knife attack on the LNER train in Huntingdon – so many of you responded when the call came, despite it being at a weekend. And so many millions came to our live pages and live streams and channels as the event unfolded. I would also like to mention our commitment to covering the migrant crisis – one of the most polarising topics of our times with Ed Thomas’ expose of a criminal network enabling migrants to work illegally in mini-marts across the UK. We know this kind of journalism really matters to our audiences. Equally important is our powerful journalism that’s bringing the truth of what’s happening in Sudan to our UK and global audiences. Barbara Plett-Usher, World Service and BBC Verify have all delivered hard hitting journalism on this story. Thank you for all that you do. Deborah
