Lisa Nandy has dismissed assertions from Donald Trump’s administration that the BBC is entirely fabricated news, following a dispute over an edited Panorama documentary.
The BBC is set to address the issue on Monday, with the Culture Secretary expressing her unwavering trust in the organization’s leadership.
The controversy revolves around edited segments from President Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021, the day of the Capitol attack by his supporters. The BBC re-aired the speech last October as part of a Panorama feature.
In response to Trump’s press Secretary Karoline Leavitt labeling the BBC as “100% fake news,” Nandy deemed the accusations “highly significant” but disagreed with the characterization. She emphasized the crucial role the BBC plays globally in providing information and fostering open dialogue in areas lacking democratic freedoms.
Nandy acknowledged being firm with the BBC when it falls short of editorial standards, addressing various concerns raised in leaked emails. She stressed that the issues go beyond the Panorama program, citing allegations of systemic bias in news reporting.
The ongoing debate extended to a clash between Boris Johnson and BBC presenter Nick Robinson, with the former PM accusing the broadcaster of arrogance and attempting to undermine the corporation. Robinson acknowledged concerns about editorial mistakes at the BBC while highlighting a simultaneous political campaign aiming to discredit the organization.
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