BBC Crisis: Top Boss Tim Davie Quits After Scandal Over Edited Trump Documentary

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) just saw a double resignation. Director-General Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness both stepped down. This action follows intense pressure over claims of political bias.

A core issue was a controversial Panorama documentary. An internal memo claimed the program incorrectly edited a speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The show allegedly spliced different parts of his January 6, 2021, speech. This made it seem Trump explicitly urged supporters to “fight like hell” at the Capitol. The clips used were nearly an hour apart in the original speech.

The White House press secretary called the BBC “100 per cent fake news.” Davie acknowledged the news debate “contributed to my decision.” He confirmed he must “take ultimate responsibility” for mistakes. Turness stated the controversy was simply “causing damage to the BBC.”

The resignations come as the BBC faces other bias allegations. These include criticism over coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Davie will remain in his role for a few months to ensure a smooth transition. This is a massive shake-up for the public broadcaster.