The chairman of the BBC admitted on Monday that the organization was slow in addressing allegations of bias related to a misrepresentation of a speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump. However, he refuted claims that the impartiality of the British broadcaster was being compromised internally. During a parliamentary inquiry, senior BBC officials faced questions following the recent resignations of the director general and head of news, along with a looming lawsuit threat from Trump.
The controversy arose after a leaked internal memo from a former external adviser highlighted instances of perceived biased reporting by the BBC, including a documentary on Trump aired before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The chairman, Samir Shah, conceded that the broadcaster should have responded more promptly to the accusations.
The documentary in question, titled “Trump: A Second Chance?”, edited together segments of Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021, creating the impression that he was inciting his supporters to engage in violent actions at the U.S. Capitol. Shah acknowledged that the editing gave a misleading impression of Trump’s intentions.
Addressing lawmakers, Shah expressed regret over the delayed response to the controversy and emphasized the need for swift action in such cases. The BBC recently issued an apology to the White House for the edited speech but maintained that it did not defame Trump or warrant his lawsuit threat.
Amidst the turmoil, board member Robbie Gibb, who previously served as the director of communications for former Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative government, faced accusations of bias and political interference. Gibb defended himself, dismissing claims of orchestrating a coup within the BBC board as unfounded.
The parliamentary session also delved into concerns raised by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC, regarding editorial standards and perceived biases within the broadcaster. Prescott’s internal note highlighted issues with the editing of the Trump speech and other instances of alleged bias, including concerns about the BBC’s coverage of transgender issues and its Arabic service’s stance on Israel.
As the BBC navigates this crisis, legal experts suggest that Trump’s lawsuit against the broadcaster may face challenges, given the context of the documentary and its impact on him. The 103-year-old institution, funded through a household license fee, is under heightened scrutiny due to its national significance and obligation to uphold impartiality.