LONDON: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is expected to issue an apology on Monday after it was accused of editing a speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump in a way that appeared to show him directly inciting the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The controversy has triggered the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness, marking one of the biggest leadership shake-ups in the broadcaster’s history.
BBC Chair Samir Shah, describing the situation as a sad day for the BBC,is scheduled to appear before the UK Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The state-funded broadcaster, which has frequently faced accusations of political bias including over its coverage of the Israel Hamas conflict has once again come under scrutiny following the Panorama documentary at the center of the dispute.
According to reports, the Panorama programme used a misleading edit of Trump’s January 6 speech, making it appear as though he had told supporters to fight like hell and march to the Capitol with him.
However, in the unedited version, Trump had urged his followers to walk down to the Capitol to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women.
Following the revelations, Turness, in her resignation letter, rejected claims that the BBC was institutionally biased, while Trump celebrated the resignations, calling BBC journalists corrupt and dishonest.
The scandal coincides with the UK government’s plan to review the BBC’s Royal Charter, which governs how the corporation operates and funds its public mission. The current charter expires in 2027.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the allegations of bias as incredibly serious, adding that the upcoming review will help the BBC adapt to a new era of accountability and digital transformation.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously threatened to stop paying the BBC licence fee, while current Tory leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the resignations, citing a catalogue of serious failures.
On the other hand, Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resist pressure from Trump, saying,
It’s easy to see why Trump wants to destroy the world’s number one news source. We can’t let him.
It could take months to find a replacement for Davie, known as Teflon Tim for his resilience in past controversies.
But this latest scandal proved insurmountable after a leaked memo from former BBC editorial adviser Michael Prescott raised concerns about editorial impartiality.
The corporation has also faced sanctions this year for a separate documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, which UK regulators deemed materially misleading.
The incident further fueled protests by pro-Palestinian groups who accused the BBC of bias in its Middle East coverage.
As the charter review looms, analysts say the BBC must now confront one of its toughest challenges yet — rebuilding public trust while protecting its global reputation for journalistic integrity.
