Key Points
- Two senior BBC executives have resigned after a leaked memo complained that the channel’s flagship magazine program Panorama edited a speech by President Donald Trump.
- The speech was edited to make it appear as if Trump directly instigated the attack on the U.S. Capitol in January 2021.
- Two comments made 50 minutes apart were conjoined in the documentary, and the BBC did not conspicuously disclose the editing.
Two senior-level executives at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) resigned on Sunday after a domestic newspaper published excerpts from a leaked memo that indicated its flagship news magazine program Panorama had selectively edited a speech by President Donald Trump.
The speech in question was made just before rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol in January 2021, with the memo suggesting the program edited comments made by Trump in a way that implied he directed supporters to storm the Capitol that day — which they did.
The executives, BBC Director General Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness, resigned on Sunday and framed their departures as personal in nature.
But the connection to the Panorama memo and their sudden and unexpected departures was hard to miss, as was the fact that BBC News has come under increasing pressure from some lawmakers in Britain over perceived political bias in recent years — allegations that both have fought hard to reject.
“Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as director general I have to take ultimate responsibility,” Davie wrote in his memo (which is replicated in full at the end of this article), noting that he intends to stay in a limited capacity, only to help with an orderly transition of leadership at the broadcaster.
Turness, who has overseen the BBC’s News and Current Affairs department for three years, cited the mounting controversy around the Trump film as damaging to the corporation.
“In public life leaders need to be fully accountable, and that is why I am stepping down,” she told staff, while rejecting claims that BBC News is institutionally biased.
The Panorama documentary has long been the subject of criticism, which only intensified after The Daily Telegraph published portions of a leaked memo by former external standards adviser Michael Prescott. The memo alleged Panorama stitched together lines from Trump’s speech that made it seem like Trump directly instigated the attack on the Capitol.
Specifically, the memo noted that Panorama had edited Trump’s original quote, which was: “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol, and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women.” The way Panorama presented it made it seem as if Trump had said: “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol, and I’ll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell.”
While Trump made both comments, the “fight like hell” part was delivered nearly an hour apart from his statement about walking down to the Capitol. Panorama did not clearly disclose that the comments were delivered that far apart.
The memo also flagged concerns about BBC coverage of transgender issues and potential anti-Israel bias within BBC Arabic’s reporting on the Israel-Gaza war.
Samir Shah, the Chairman of the BBC, called it “a sad day” for the broadcaster. In a statement on Sunday, he praised Davie as an “outstanding director-general” who retained full board support. He said the board respects both decisions and will work with Davie during the search process.
In a statement on his media platform Truth Social, Trump acknowledged the resignations, saying both executives departed because “they were caught doctoring my very good, perfect speech on January 6th.”
The controversy adds to a difficult year for the BBC, which faced criticism over a Gaza documentary narrated by the son of a Hamas official and a Glastonbury broadcast in which performers led a chant considered a breach of editorial guidelines. The corporation also recently upheld impartiality complaints related to language used on the BBC News Channel.
The BBC is a taxpayer funded public service broadcaster, with British households shelling out £174.50 (U.S. $230) per year for a “license” that directly supports the outlet’s domestic television and radio operations.
With the BBC being a publicly-funded broadcaster, it is bound by a certain set of bylaws, known as the Charter, that governs how its programs must air. For news, it requires diligence in impartiality.
The full email from Davie is replicated below:
I wanted to let you know that I have decided to leave the BBC after 20 years. This is entirely my decision, and I remain very thankful to the Chair and Board for their unswerving and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure, including during recent days.
I am working through exact timings with the Board to allow for an orderly transition to a successor over the coming months.
I have been reflecting on the very intense personal and professional demands of managing this role over many years in these febrile times, combined with the fact that I want to give a successor time to help shape the Charter plans they will be delivering.
In these increasingly polarised times, the BBC is of unique value and speaks to the very best of us. It helps make the UK a special place; overwhelmingly kind, tolerant and curious. Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable. 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.
Our organisation is a critical ingredient of a healthy society, as well as a thriving creative sector. We should champion it, not weaponise it.
Despite a hugely competitive market, I am proud that the BBC remains the most trusted news brand globally. We have continued to ensure that it is used by almost everyone in the UK as well as hundreds of millions of people globally. Despite the inevitable issues and challenges, our journalism and quality content continues to be admired as a gold standard. Our transition to a digital organisation has been deeply impressive, and our thriving commercial businesses are admired globally. Also, our work together on ensuring that we have the right culture has been important and motivating. I could not be more impressed by what you are achieving.
You will ask why now, why this moment?
I am BBC through and through, having spent the last 20 years of my life working for this organisation as Director of Marketing, Communications and Audiences, Director of Audio and Music, acting Director-General and Chief Executive of BBC Studios. I care deeply about it and want it to succeed. That is why I want to create the best conditions and space for a new DG to come in and positively shape the next Royal Charter. I hope that as we move forward, a sensible, calm and rational public conversation can take place about the next chapter of the BBC.
This timing allows a new DG to help shape the next Charter. I believe we are in a strong position to deliver growth.
Thank you again, it has been a wonderful ride, which I have loved. I count myself very lucky to have served as DG no.17. I will have a proper chance to see many of you before I go but I have been incredibly proud to lead the BBC as DG for over five years. It is a precious UK institution and you are a world-class team. Thank you all for the tireless support and friendship.
I will always be a passionate cheerleader for civilised society, a strong BBC and a thriving UK.
Best wishes,
Tim
