BBC scandal: Broadcaster looks into allegations on a second Donald Trump speech edit
The BBC says it is looking into new allegations, published in The Telegraph newspaper, over the editing by another of its programs of a speech by US President Donald Trump.
The British Broadcasting Corporation has been plunged into its biggest crisis in decades after two senior leaders resigned following accusations of bias, including in the way a speech by Mr Trump was edited in a Panorama documentary.
The edit of the speech played in the Panorama episode has recently attracted heavy criticism, with Mr Trump announcing his “obligation” to launch a $US1 billion ($A1.5 billion) lawsuit against the BBC, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying the corporation needed to “get their house in order”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Telegraph, which initially broke that story, reported on Thursday that another BBC program, Newsnight, also selectively edited footage of the same speech in a report broadcast in June 2022 - two years before Panorama’s edit.
The Telegraph reported the Newsnight edit was similar to the Panorama version, with a freelancer for the program telling the newspaper’s podcast that concerns raised about the footage at an editorial meeting were waved away.
“The BBC holds itself to the highest editorial standards,” a BBC spokesperson said on Thursday in response to the latest Telegraph report.
“This matter has been brought to our attention and we are now looking into it.”
The BBC apologised on Monday for the Panorama documentary which spliced together three parts of Mr Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021, the day his supporters stormed the Capitol, creating the impression he had called for violence.
His lawyers said the BBC must retract its documentary by Friday or face a lawsuit for “no less” than $US1 billion.
They also demanded that the BBC issue an apology and compensate Mr Trump for what it said was “overwhelming reputational and financial harm,” according to a letter seen by Reuters.
The BBC has said it is considering how to respond.
with PA
