According to a recent BBC assessment, well-known presenters should be permitted to voice their opinions on topics and regulations but should refrain from engaging in political advocacy.
Following a controversy over Gary Lineker’s social media tweets, new guidelines have been established for BBC flagship presenters.
It happens after John Hardie, the former head of ITN, published a study of the BBC’s social media policies.
In response, Lineker said on X that the new regulations were “all very sensible.”
The major shows include The Apprentice with Alan Sugar and Lineker’s Match of the Day.
Because of their prominence on the BBC, there will be “a particular responsibility to respect the BBC’s impartiality.”
The new guidance acknowledges the value of freedom of expression but mandates that presenters on flagship shows refrain from endorsing or criticizing political parties while a program is airing and for a two-week period before and after the series.
Additionally, they are forbidden from making judgments about the moral integrity of specific British politicians, opining on hot-button political issues during an election, or serving in an official capacity for a campaigning organization.
Other popular television programs include Antiques Roadshow, Dragons’ Den, The One Show, major sporting events, Masterchef, Top Gear, and Strictly Come Dancing. Popular radio programs include Radio 1’s Breakfast Show with Greg James, Radio 2’s Breakfast with Zoe Ball, Vernon Kaye’s Midday Show, and Scott Mills’ Afternoon Show.
In response to a controversy over Gary Lineker’s posts earlier this year, the BBC declared that its social media policies would be reviewed.
After the Match of the Day host claimed that the government’s wording regarding a new asylum strategy was “not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s,” a controversy broke out in March.
Ministers and Downing Street criticized him for his remarks, but they also received a lot of social media support.
Lineker was removed from the air because the BBC said he had violated its impartiality policies. But when he came back, the company had already announced the review to address the “grey areas” in its guidelines.
The necessity of “high standards of civility in public discourse” is also emphasized in the new guidelines.
This entails showing respect for others even in the face of abuse and refraining from using rude or combative language.