BBC bosses resign over Trump speech edit ‘mistakes’

British Broadcasting Corporation chief executive Tim Davie and news chief executive Deborah Turness have resigned following criticism that the BBC documentary misled viewers by editing out a speech by US President Donald Trump.

“This is entirely my decision, and I am very grateful to the president and board for their unwavering and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure, including the final days,” Davie said in a statement. he said.

“In these heated times, I reflected on the very intense personal and professional demands of leading this role for many years, coupled with the fact that I wanted to give my successors time to help shape the contract plans they would present.

“Overall the BBC is performing well but some mistakes have been made and as Director General I must take ultimate responsibility,” he said.

The Daily Telegraph had reported for days about an internal document prepared by a former BBC adviser that listed a number of errors, including the way a speech Trump gave on January 6, 2001, was edited.

The document claimed that the Panorama program edited two parts of Trump’s speech together, and that Trump appeared to directly encourage the Capitol Hill riots in January 2021, and that the part in which Trump said he wanted his supporters to demonstrate peacefully was removed.

Turness said the controversy over the Trump documentary had “reached a stage where it is damaging to the BBC – an institution I love. As CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, I bear the responsibility.”

The resignations come after concerns were raised about impartiality at the BBC this week.

with AP and PA