A UK parliamentary committee has demanded the BBC explain why it allegedly misled viewers by editing a Donald Trump speech in a Panorama documentary. The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has given the broadcaster until November 10 to answer serious questions about its editorial standards.
The committee alleges that the BBC's documentary "Trump: A Second Chance?", which aired the week before last year's US election, spliced together parts of Trump's January 6, 2021 speech. The editing allegedly made it appear the former president told supporters he would walk to the Capitol with them to "fight like hell" - when those statements were actually 54 minutes apart in the original speech.
Committee Chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage wrote to BBC Chairman Samir Shah demanding information and a copy of an internal memo on impartiality written by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC's editorial standards committee. She stated: «The BBC clearly has serious questions to answer regarding both its editorial standards and the way in which concerns are handled by senior management. The corporation must set the benchmark for accurate and fair reporting, especially in a media landscape where it is all too easy to find news presented in a less than impartial way. The committee needs to be reassured that those at the very top of the BBC are treating these issues with the seriousness they deserve and taking decisive steps to uphold the corporation's reputation for integrity and public trust.»
Political Reactions
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch told GB News the editing was "fake news" and called for dismissals. «It's absolutely shocking. That is fake news. Actually putting different things together to try and make something look different from what it actually was», she said. «I do think heads should roll. Whoever it was who did that should be sacked. This is a corporation that needs to hold itself to the highest standards, and that means that when we see people doing the wrong thing, they should be punished, they should be sacked.»
The Prime Minister's spokesman told reporters the government takes the criticism seriously but emphasized the BBC's independence. «Fundamentally, it's crucial that the BBC upholds the highest standards of reporting and impartiality, so it's trusted as our national broadcaster. We take any criticisms of the BBC's editorial standards very seriously. We expect the BBC to consider feedback that they receive seriously too, and carefully. Because the BBC is independent of government, it's for the corporation to respond to questions about their editorial decisions.»
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has been kept updated and has been assured by the BBC that it is examining the issues raised in Prescott's 19-page memo.
A BBC spokesperson responded: «While we don't comment on leaked documents, when the BBC receives feedback it takes it seriously and considers it carefully. Michael Prescott is a former adviser to a board committee where differing views and opinions of our coverage are routinely discussed and debated.»
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
