The BBC’s director-general, Tim Davie, and its head of news, Deborah Turness, resigned on Sunday following accusations of bias at the British broadcaster, including the controversial editing of a speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The departures came after an internal report, leaked to the Daily Telegraph, highlighted shortcomings in the BBC’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, transgender issues, and Trump’s speech, raising concerns about impartiality.
Trump welcomed the resignations, calling Davie and Turness “very dishonest people” and accusing them of trying to influence a U.S. presidential election. He criticised the BBC’s Panorama programme for editing two separate parts of his speech to make it appear he encouraged the January 6 Capitol riot, when he had in fact said supporters would “cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women.”
Davie, who has led the BBC since 2020, defended the organisation, stating that its journalism is considered the gold standard worldwide. “Mistakes have been made, and I must take ultimate responsibility,” he said. Turness, in an email to staff, rejected allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased.
Despite the controversy, the BBC remains highly respected internationally and continues to top trust polls in the UK. Funded by a licence fee from all television-watching households, it has faced criticism from national newspapers and social media users over perceived liberal bias.
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The leaked report also alleged that BBC Arabic showed anti-Israel bias in its Gaza coverage and that coverage of a campaign for single-sex spaces had been suppressed by staff who saw it as hostile to the transgender community.
In recent years, the BBC has faced several high-profile controversies, including the suspension of its then-top-paid sports presenter Gary Lineker for criticising government immigration policy, a brief staff walkout in solidarity, and criticism over programming on political issues, such as punk-rap duo Bob Vylan’s anti-Israel chant at Glastonbury and a pulled Gaza documentary.
British Culture Minister Lisa Nandy thanked Davie for guiding the broadcaster through a period of significant change. A person familiar with the situation said Davie’s decision stunned the BBC board and that he would remain in post for several months while a replacement is found.
Davie acknowledged the pressures of managing the BBC in “these febrile times” but defended the corporation’s role in promoting a healthy society and thriving creative sector.
