In a dramatic shake-up at the British Broadcasting Corporation, director general Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness have resigned amid mounting criticism over the editing of a Donald Trump speech in a Panorama documentary. The resignations, announced on Sunday evening, come as BBC chairman Samir Shah is set to issue a written statement to a parliamentary committee on Monday, expected to address the controversy and apologize for the editorial misstep.
The core issue stems from a Panorama episode titled ‘Trump: A Second Chance?’ which aired last year. The documentary edited together two segments of Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech, making it appear he explicitly encouraged the Capitol riot. Specifically, it spliced his statement ‘We’re going to walk down to the Capitol’ with a later part where he said ‘I’ll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell,’ despite these phrases being over 50 minutes apart. This manipulation was highlighted in an internal memo by former external adviser Michael Prescott, who raised concerns about ‘serious and systemic’ editorial bias within the BBC.
Davie, director general for five years, stated in his resignation that while the BBC is not perfect, the current debate around BBC News contributed to his decision, and he took ultimate responsibility for mistakes. Similarly, Turness emphasized that the buck stops with her, admitting errors but firmly rejecting allegations of institutional bias, asserting that BBC journalists are hardworking and not corrupt. Both leaders stepped down voluntarily, with Davie noting an orderly transition to a successor in the coming months.
The resignations have sparked varied political reactions. Former US President Donald Trump welcomed the move, calling the BBC ‘100% fake news’ and accusing its leaders of dishonesty. In the UK, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said it was right for them to step down but called for deeper reforms, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey saw it as an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown suggested the resignations could have been avoided if an apology had been issued immediately after the error was discovered.
Beyond the Trump edit, the internal memo pointed to other impartiality concerns, including coverage of the Israel-Gaza war by BBC Arabic and issues around trans reporting. These cumulative controversies have damaged the BBC’s reputation, with critics arguing the broadcaster has been slow to address complaints. The Culture, Media and Sport Committee chair Dame Caroline Dineage described a ‘seemingly constant stream of crises and missteps’ that have eroded trust.
In her first public comments since resigning, Turness defended BBC journalists, stating that while mistakes were made, there is no institutional bias. Former Sun editor David Yelland described the resignations as an ‘inside job’ and a ‘coup,’ highlighting governance failures. Meanwhile, veterans minister Louise Sandher-Jones acknowledged that the BBC generally reflects the country’s views, emphasizing its trusted role despite recent errors.
Looking ahead, the BBC faces a critical period as it seeks to appoint new leadership and navigate the upcoming Royal Charter review, set to expire in 2027. The resignations underscore the challenges of maintaining impartiality in a polarized media landscape, with pressure from both sides of the political spectrum. The board must now find successors who can restore public confidence and steer the corporation through these turbulent times, ensuring it remains a trusted source of news in an era of widespread misinformation.
