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The BBC chair, Samir Shah, has said the corporation would like to apologise for an “error of judgment” over the editing of a speech by Donald Trump for Panorama.
The apology follows the resignation of two of the corporation’s most senior figures on Sunday – the chief executive of BBC News, Deborah Turness, and the director general, Tim Davie – who announced their departure after concerns were raised in Michael Prescott’s leaked report that the speech had been selectively edited.
Now, as the fallout continues over the BBC’s editorial standards and claims that the exit of Turness and Davie is the result of “a campaign by political enemies of the BBC”, the process for finding their successors must soon get under way.
What has happened?
The BBC director general, Tim Davie, and head of news, Deborah Turness, resigned on Sunday after accusations that the corporation was failing in its duty of impartiality.
On Monday afternoon, the BBC chair, Samir Shah, has said the corporation would like to “apologise for that error of judgment” over how it edited of the footage of a speech made by Donald Trump and broadcast on Panorama.
The show is one of a number of examples highlighted by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC’s editorial standards committee, who detailed his concerns about the broadcaster’s impartiality in a memo published by the Telegraph.
Supporters of the BBC have alleged a coordinated effort by rightwing figures to undermine the broadcaster.
How is the new director general selected?
Tim Davie’s replacement as the BBC’s director general will be appointed by the corporation’s board.
Leading a global workforce, the director general is the BBC’s editorial, operational and creative leader and is responsible for its services across television, radio and online.
Davie’s successor will be appointed by the BBC board, which is supposed to ensure the corporation delivers its mission and public purposes.
The board is led by the BBC chair, Samir Shah, and consists of 10 non-executive members, including Shah, and four executive members.
Four of the non-executive members are appointed as members for each of the UK nations.
Does the government have any influence?
There is no direct role for ministers in the selection process, but previous appointments have often been accompanied by reports of the government of the day letting its views be known.
The director general’s appointment is made under the terms of the BBC’s charter, which is drawn up by the government and sets out the terms and purposes for the corporation’s existence.
The charter usually lasts for around a decade, with the current one ending on 31 December 2027.
The government also decides on the BBC’s funding model, for example, the level of the licence fee, which gives it significant leverage over the corporation’s strategic decision-making and operational capacity.
Why does it matter?
It is just over a year until the BBC charter is renewed. When that happens, there are several issues at play, primarily focusing on the funding model, governance and regulation, impartiality, and the BBC’s overall scope and relevance in a changing media landscape.
The BBC director general plays a highly influential and prominent role in the charter renewal process, primarily as the chief advocate and lead negotiator for the BBC’s vision, strategy, and funding needs with the UK government.
