BBC chair Samir Shah has apologised for what he described as an “error of judgement” in the editing of a documentary featuring a speech by US President Donald Trump, following hundreds of viewer complaints, reported BBC.
In a letter to the UK parliament’s culture, media and sport committee, Shah acknowledged that the way Trump’s speech was edited in the Panorama programme “did give the impression of a direct call for violent action.”
“The BBC would like to apologise for that error of judgement,” Shah wrote, adding that the matter had prompted “further reflection” within the organisation. He said more than 500 complaints had been received since the issue came to light through a leaked memo by former BBC adviser Andrew Prescott.
Explaining the background, Shah said the Panorama team had sought to “convey the message of the speech made by President Trump so that Panorama’s audience could better understand how it had been received by President Trump’s supporters and what was happening on the ground at that time.”
He noted that the issue had been discussed as part of a broader review of BBC’s US election coverage rather than treated as a specific programme complaint because it had aired before the election and initially drew limited feedback. “With hindsight, it would have been better to take more formal action,” he added.
Addressing criticism that the BBC had attempted to suppress concerns raised in Prescott’s memo, Shah said such claims were “simply not true.” He said the corporation had taken multiple steps over recent years, including “publishing corrections where we have got things wrong,” “changing editorial guidance,” “making leadership changes,” and undertaking “formal disciplinary measures.”
Downing Street also weighed in on the matter, saying Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not believe the BBC was “institutionally biased.”
A spokesperson added, “It is important the BBC acts to maintain trust and corrects mistakes quickly when they occur… for any public service broadcaster – accountability is vital.”
The spokesperson said while “mistakes had been made,” both the BBC director general and the CEO of News had accepted responsibility. The government, they added, would soon launch a charter review to assess how the BBC can “prosper” with a “sustainable funding model” amid growing challenges in the media landscape.
In a letter to the UK parliament’s culture, media and sport committee, Shah acknowledged that the way Trump’s speech was edited in the Panorama programme “did give the impression of a direct call for violent action.”
“The BBC would like to apologise for that error of judgement,” Shah wrote, adding that the matter had prompted “further reflection” within the organisation. He said more than 500 complaints had been received since the issue came to light through a leaked memo by former BBC adviser Andrew Prescott.
Explaining the background, Shah said the Panorama team had sought to “convey the message of the speech made by President Trump so that Panorama’s audience could better understand how it had been received by President Trump’s supporters and what was happening on the ground at that time.”
He noted that the issue had been discussed as part of a broader review of BBC’s US election coverage rather than treated as a specific programme complaint because it had aired before the election and initially drew limited feedback. “With hindsight, it would have been better to take more formal action,” he added.
Addressing criticism that the BBC had attempted to suppress concerns raised in Prescott’s memo, Shah said such claims were “simply not true.” He said the corporation had taken multiple steps over recent years, including “publishing corrections where we have got things wrong,” “changing editorial guidance,” “making leadership changes,” and undertaking “formal disciplinary measures.”
Downing Street also weighed in on the matter, saying Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not believe the BBC was “institutionally biased.”
A spokesperson added, “It is important the BBC acts to maintain trust and corrects mistakes quickly when they occur… for any public service broadcaster – accountability is vital.”
The spokesperson said while “mistakes had been made,” both the BBC director general and the CEO of News had accepted responsibility. The government, they added, would soon launch a charter review to assess how the BBC can “prosper” with a “sustainable funding model” amid growing challenges in the media landscape.
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