This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46566574
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Gary Lineker row: What can BBC presenters say and not say? | Gary Lineker row: What can BBC presenters say and not say? |
(about 3 hours later) | |
BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker is not shy when it comes to airing his political views on social media. | BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker is not shy when it comes to airing his political views on social media. |
But his latest comments - lamenting Brexit and the "state of our politics" - have seen him get a public dressing down by his BBC colleague Jonathan Agnew. | But his latest comments - lamenting Brexit and the "state of our politics" - have seen him get a public dressing down by his BBC colleague Jonathan Agnew. |
The cricket correspondent tweeted Lineker, saying that he should follow BBC editorial guidelines and keep his political views to himself. | The cricket correspondent tweeted Lineker, saying that he should follow BBC editorial guidelines and keep his political views to himself. |
Agnew, like Lineker, supported Remain in the EU referendum. | Agnew, like Lineker, supported Remain in the EU referendum. |
In response, Lineker said he was tweeting from a personal account and he would continue to say what he wanted. | In response, Lineker said he was tweeting from a personal account and he would continue to say what he wanted. |
The disagreement came after a string of political tweets from Lineker as the Conservative Party held a confidence vote in the prime minister's leadership. | The disagreement came after a string of political tweets from Lineker as the Conservative Party held a confidence vote in the prime minister's leadership. |
One included: "Extraordinary to watch us take our country back and rip it to shreds in the process." | One included: "Extraordinary to watch us take our country back and rip it to shreds in the process." |
He has regularly written critical posts about Brexit and Prime Minister Theresa May, as well as publicly backing the campaign for another EU referendum. | He has regularly written critical posts about Brexit and Prime Minister Theresa May, as well as publicly backing the campaign for another EU referendum. |
So what are BBC presenters not allowed to say? | So what are BBC presenters not allowed to say? |
As a publicly-funded broadcaster the BBC has its own guidelines, including rules on impartiality, which it says lie "at the heart of public service". | As a publicly-funded broadcaster the BBC has its own guidelines, including rules on impartiality, which it says lie "at the heart of public service". |
The guidelines state that BBC staff and freelancers who work for BBC News and Current Affairs must not: | The guidelines state that BBC staff and freelancers who work for BBC News and Current Affairs must not: |
So these rules don't apply to Lineker? | So these rules don't apply to Lineker? |
In a word, no, because he is a sport presenter. | In a word, no, because he is a sport presenter. |
Following this latest row, a BBC spokesperson said: "Gary is not involved in any news or political output for the BBC and as such, any expression of his personal political views does not affect the BBC's impartiality." | Following this latest row, a BBC spokesperson said: "Gary is not involved in any news or political output for the BBC and as such, any expression of his personal political views does not affect the BBC's impartiality." |
Lineker, who topped the list of the BBC's highest-paid stars, has previously rebuffed criticism of his outspoken political views by saying he is a freelancer and so does not have to abide by the BBC guidelines. | Lineker, who topped the list of the BBC's highest-paid stars, has previously rebuffed criticism of his outspoken political views by saying he is a freelancer and so does not have to abide by the BBC guidelines. |
In 2016, when he was criticised for some tweets about child migrants, the BBC responded by saying: "Gary is a freelance broadcaster and this is a personal Twitter account." | In 2016, when he was criticised for some tweets about child migrants, the BBC responded by saying: "Gary is a freelance broadcaster and this is a personal Twitter account." |
But Agnew, also a freelancer, said that this was not the case for him and he represented the BBC even though he also works for other companies. | But Agnew, also a freelancer, said that this was not the case for him and he represented the BBC even though he also works for other companies. |
He said: "If I tweet/broadcast about politics I'll be disciplined. Please believe me. I've been in post nearly 30 years!" | He said: "If I tweet/broadcast about politics I'll be disciplined. Please believe me. I've been in post nearly 30 years!" |
Unlike Lineker, Agnew - as cricket correspondent - is a reporter as well as a commentator and presenter. The BBC declined to comment on Agnew's remarks. | Unlike Lineker, Agnew - as cricket correspondent - is a reporter as well as a commentator and presenter. The BBC declined to comment on Agnew's remarks. |
Are there any other recent cases? | Are there any other recent cases? |
The BBC took some female presenters off air for impartiality reasons earlier this year after they tweeted support for equal pay at the corporation. | The BBC took some female presenters off air for impartiality reasons earlier this year after they tweeted support for equal pay at the corporation. |
It followed Carrie Gracie's resignation as the BBC's China editor, citing pay inequality with male international editors earning more than her. | It followed Carrie Gracie's resignation as the BBC's China editor, citing pay inequality with male international editors earning more than her. |
A day after posting her views about the BBC and equal pay, Radio 4 presenter Winifred Robinson was prevented from hosting a programme focusing on the same issue. | A day after posting her views about the BBC and equal pay, Radio 4 presenter Winifred Robinson was prevented from hosting a programme focusing on the same issue. |
The BBC confirmed it had replaced Robinson due to impartiality issues. | The BBC confirmed it had replaced Robinson due to impartiality issues. |
That was the same reason another Radio 4 presenter, Jane Garvey, wasn't allowed to conduct an interview with Ms Gracie after giving her public support to her colleague. | That was the same reason another Radio 4 presenter, Jane Garvey, wasn't allowed to conduct an interview with Ms Gracie after giving her public support to her colleague. |
BBC guidelines dictate that reporters should not be "exposed to conflicts of interest", and there must be "editorial separation" of those reporting the story. | BBC guidelines dictate that reporters should not be "exposed to conflicts of interest", and there must be "editorial separation" of those reporting the story. |
Host of the BBC's This Week, Andrew Neil, who is known for his outspoken style, was criticised for calling an Observer journalist Carole Cadwalladr a "mad cat woman" on Twitter. | |
He deleted the post and retweeted a statement from the BBC press office which said he "recognises it was inappropriate", although he didn't make an apology. | He deleted the post and retweeted a statement from the BBC press office which said he "recognises it was inappropriate", although he didn't make an apology. |