The BBC’s Director General, Tim Davie, and the head of News, Deborah Turness, have resigned from the British news conglomerate amid criticism for mischievously editing Donald Trump’s speech in a Panorama documentary.
The allegations are the latest to hit the BBC, which has been accused of failing to maintain its neutrality in reporting on Israel’s Gaza invasion. Other allegations include child abuse scandals, bullying and sexual misconduct against high-profile presenters.
In a statement, the BBC chief, Davie, acknowledged that "the BBC is not perfect and we must always be open, transparent and accountable." He said it was his responsibility, and he must be held accountable rather than the news channel, adding that resignation was entirely his own decision.
Meanwhile, the BBC News CEO Turness said queries over the Trump documentary have “reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC, an institution that I love.” She acknowledged, "While mistakes have been made, I want to be absolutely clear: recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong.”
This is not the first time the BBC has found itself in hot, troubled waters for controversial acts of reporting. The particular channel has a history full of episodes of controversy that have marred the broadcaster’s reputation.
Meanwhile, United States President Trump gave his reaction to the resignations, lauding the exposure of "corrupt journalists", adding, "These are very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a Presidential Election." The recent episodes, especially in the context of President Donald Trump, had likely piled unbearable pressure on the two executives, prompting their departures, media observers say.
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