BBC Director-General Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness have both resigned following controversy over a documentary that allegedly misled viewers by editing a speech by US President Donald Trump. Davie, who served 20 years at the BBC including five as Director-General, announced his departure will take place over the coming months to allow an orderly transition.
The resignations follow criticism of the Panorama documentary "Trump: A Second Chance?", which aired the week before last year's US election. The programme allegedly spliced together clips from Trump's January 6, 2021 speech to make it appear he was encouraging supporters to storm the US Capitol and "fight like hell." Concerns about the editing were reportedly raised in a memo by a former editorial adviser during the summer.
Davie wrote to BBC staff: «This is entirely my decision, and I remain very thankful to the chair and board for their unswerving and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure, including during recent days.» He acknowledged the intense pressure of the role and said: «Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as director-general I have to take ultimate responsibility.»
News Chief Steps Down
Turness offered her resignation to Davie on Saturday night. She told staff: «The ongoing controversy around the Panorama on President Trump has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC - an institution that I love.» She emphasized that as CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, «the buck stops with me.»
BBC Chairman Samir Shah called the departures a "sad day for the BBC" and praised Davie's tenure. «He has given 20 years of his life to the BBC,» Shah said, describing him as a devoted and inspirational leader. The corporation is expected to issue an apology regarding the documentary editing.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
