It seems that everything about Tim Davie’s resignation is unusual. I’m sure most people at the BBC were not expecting an email at 18.00 last Sunday, 9th November, in their inbox from the DG announcing his resignation. This news was followed by the resignation of the CEO of BBC News, Deborah Turness. The circumstances surrounding this shock resignation are not simple. In his email to staff whilst not naming anything specific he admitted that ‘…there have been some mistakes made and as Director General I have to take ultimate responsibility.’ With regards to his timing, he believes that this allows a new DG to help input his or her ideas into the next Royal Charter, due to start on 1st January 2028.
It seems that Tim Davie had been put under pressure once again because of a report an independent advisor Michael Prescott, had delivered to the Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee (EGSC). In the report, which was subsequently leaked to The Telegraph, Prescott had complaints which centred mainly on two issues – how an episode of Panorama last year edited two clips of Donald Trump together to make it sound as though he was calling on his supporters to attack the White House. The clips were taken from the same speech but were from different parts of it. The second complaint is about perceived bias against Israel in the BBC’s coverage of Gaza. There was also reference to the ongoing Trans issue within BBC News. The Telegraph accused the BBC of being institutionally biased, which was denied by Deborah Turness on her exit from the BBC.
Since last Sunday there has been much speculation in the Press about right wing influence on the Board and conspiracy theories. The Chairman, Samir Shah, wrote to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee outlining in detail what steps the Board have taken since the report was delivered to them on 17th October. President Trump has also said that he will sue the BBC for $1billion and he has received an apology from the BBC.
This latest crisis to hit the BBC is one which goes to the heart of its relationship with its audience. It is still the most trusted broadcaster in the world but every effort has to be made to maintain that trust and not allow it to be eroded in the slightest.
