LONDON — The head of the BBC and the broadcaster’s top news executive both resigned Sunday after criticism over how the corporation edited a speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The BBC said Director-General Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness had decided to leave. The controversy centers on a BBC documentary that edited Trump’s Jan. 6, 2021 remarks before the attack on the U.S. Capitol; critics say the edit removed a portion in which Trump urged supporters to demonstrate peacefully, making the presentation misleading.
In a letter to staff, Davie said stepping down after five years “is entirely my decision.” He acknowledged mistakes and said that as director-general he must take ultimate responsibility. He added he is coordinating with the BBC Board on timings to ensure an orderly transition to a successor in the coming months.
Turness said the controversy had reached a point where it was damaging “an institution that I love.” As CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, she said the “buck stops with me,” and that public leaders must be fully accountable, so she was stepping down. She also defended the corporation, saying allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong, though she acknowledged mistakes had been made.
Pressure on senior executives grew after the Daily Telegraph published parts of a dossier compiled by Michael Prescott, an external adviser on standards and guidelines. The dossier criticized the Trump edit, questioned BBC coverage of transgender issues and raised concerns about alleged anti-Israel bias in the BBC’s Arabic service.
The BBC faces heightened scrutiny because it is funded by an annual TV license fee of £174.50 and is required by its charter to be impartial, making critics quick to highlight perceived failings.
