London (EFE).- BBC Directors General Tim Davie and the corporation’s head of news, Deborah Turness, resigned following mounting controversy over the broadcaster’s coverage, including a Panorama documentary whose edited version appeared to suggest that United States President Donald Trump directly incited the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
Davie confirmed his departure in a letter to the BBC Board on Sunday, saying he must “take ultimate responsibility” for recent editorial errors.
Davie, who joined the BBC more than two decades ago and became director general in 2020, said he would work with the board to determine his exit and ensure a smooth transition.
“Overall, the BBC works well, but mistakes have been made, and as director general, I must assume ultimate responsibility,” he wrote.
He added that the “current debate surrounding BBC News” influenced his decision, alongside the “intense personal and professional demands” of the role.
“In these increasingly polarized times, the BBC has unique value and represents the best of us,” he said. “Like all public institutions, it is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable.”
Turness, who submitted her resignation on Saturday, said the controversy over Panorama had reached a point where it was “damaging the BBC,” an institution she said she loved.
“While mistakes have been made, I want to be absolutely clear that recent allegations that BBC News has institutional bias are false,” she stated.
BBC Board Chair Samir Shah thanked both for their “dedication and commitment,” calling it “a sad day for the BBC.”
Edited documentary under scrutiny
The dispute intensified after The Daily Telegraph published internal documents suggesting the documentary “Trump: A Second Chance?” may have missed viewers by combining lines from different moments in a 2021 speech.
The edited version made it appear that Trump told supporters: “We march to the Capitol … and we fight with all our strength.”
In the original speech, Trump also urged demonstrators to act “peacefully and patriotically.”
The memo was written by Michael Prescott, an external adviser to the BBC’s editorial standards committee, who warned that the editing created a “misleading impression.”
The documentary was produced by the independent company October Films Ltd. and aired before last year’s presidential election.
The broadcaster had also faced previous criticism, including a Gaza documentary narrated by the son of a Hamas member and a Glastonbury performance aired by the BBC in which musicians called for the death of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers.
Political reaction and calls for reform
The resignations triggered strong reactions from British political parties.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Davie and Turness had “finally taken responsibility,” but argued that the BBC’s problems “go much further.”
She said the leaked Prescott report revealed “institutional bias” and called for “firm action,” adding that the BBC “cannot encourage the public to keep funding it through a compulsory license fee unless it proves genuine impartiality.”
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, said the departures “must be the beginning of deep change,” calling for leadership from someone “who understands how to manage reputation and culture.”
Jewish community organizations, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Campaign Against Antisemitism, demanded an independent investigation into alleged editorial bias, citing the BBC’s coverage of the war in Gaza and content on its Arabic service.
In contrast, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey defended the BBC as a vital public institution.
“It is not perfect, but it remains one of the few institutions protecting shared values against populist pressure,” he said, calling the resignations “an opportunity to strengthen fact-based journalism and accountability.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy thanked Davie for his service and said the government would support the board during the transition, adding that the upcoming 2027 charter review would be “a chance to adapt the BBC to a new era.” EFE
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