Controversial documentary on the former U.S. president throws the BBC into unprecedented turmoil
The BBC is facing a major credibility crisis following the broadcast of a documentary on Donald Trump, which the former U.S. president has denounced as defamatory. Trump is demanding a full and fair retraction and has threatened legal action against the British public broadcaster. Under mounting pressure, the BBC’s Director-General and its Head of News both resigned on Sunday, marking a dramatic shift in the organisation's leadership.
According to Katie Razzell, the BBC’s Culture and Media Editor, the situation remains highly volatile: “The idea that taxpayer money could potentially be used to compensate a foreign president in response to a controversial edit seriously damages the BBC’s image.” The crisis is far from over, and the broadcaster currently appears rudderless, urgently in need of new leadership.
Meanwhile, British lawmakers are preparing to debate the issue in Westminster, highlighting the political weight of this media controversy.