BBC chair Samir Shah has apologized to the U.K. culture, media and sport committee following a scandal around the editing of a Trump speech in the documentary program “Panorama,” calling it an “error of judgement.”
Shah’s statement follows the shock resignations of director general Tim Davie and CEO of news Deborah Turness on Sunday night. Over the weekend, a leaked memo from former BBC adviser Michael Prescott was published by The Telegraph suggesting that “Panorama” edited a Trump speech to make it sound like he encouraged the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riots.
“Since the publication of Mr Prescott’s memo, this issue has led to over 500 complaints. These are now being dealt with in the normal way. It has also prompted further reflection by the BBC,” Shah, who as chair is charged with protecting the BBC’s independence, said in his statement (via BBC News). “The conclusion of that deliberation is that we accept that the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action. The BBC would like to apologize for that error of judgement.”
“Like all public organizations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable,” Davie, who has been at the BBC since 2005, said in his resignation statement. “While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision. Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility.”
Turness was questioned by reporters from her own newsroom outside the BBC headquarters on Monday, rejecting claims that the outlet is institutionally biased.
“I stepped down over the weekend because the buck stops with me. But I’d like to make one thing very clear, BBC News is not institutionally biased. That’s why it’s the world’s most trusted news provider.”
Trump celebrated the news on Sunday night, calling the organization “corrupt ‘journalists.’”
“These are very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a Presidential Election,” Trump wrote. “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!”
Responding to that claim, Turness said: “Of course our journalists aren’t corrupt. Our journalists are hardworking people who strive for impartiality and I will stand by their journalism.”
The BBC has been flanked by several other controversies this year, including a Gaza documentary that was found to be a “serious breach” of Ofcom’s broadcasting rules and its handling of controversy at Glastonbury Festival when it aired the punk duo Bob Vylan chanting “death to the IDF.”
It is unclear exactly when Davie and Turness’ departures will go into effect or who will replace them.
