BBC defends itself against accusations of liberal distortion of news coverage

Michael Prescott, a former BBC editorial adviser, said the British public broadcaster is not institutionally biased but faces serious editorial problems.

His leaked report unleashed an internal crisis at the BBC, prompting the resignations of director-general Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness and prompting Donald Trump to threaten a lawsuit of up to five billion dollars.

The biggest criticism has been the editing of Trump's January 6, 2021 speech when his supporters occupied the Capitol in 2021. The edited speech, according to Prescott, may have appeared to condone violence.

But he denied that it was an ideological attack. He says his goal was to point out systemic failures and a drive for change without a deeper analysis of the causes. The BBC, he said, had repeatedly responded with only superficial measures.

Robbie Gibb, a BBC board member and former adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May, also denied that he had collaborated in a politically motivated campaign against the British broadcaster. The latter, meanwhile, has confirmed that it is already taking steps to address the shortcomings identified by the report.

(reuters, max)