Overview
- The BBC published a retraction acknowledging that a Panorama sequence spliced lines from President Trump’s Jan. 6, 2021 speech about 54 minutes apart, creating a mistaken impression of a direct call for violent action.
- The corporation said the programme will not be shown again in that form, its lawyers have responded to Trump’s counsel, and chair Samir Shah sent a personal letter to the White House conveying regret.
- While apologizing, the BBC said it strongly disagrees there is any basis for a defamation claim or compensation, despite Trump’s threatened $1 billion lawsuit and his assertion that he has an obligation to pursue action.
- Trump’s legal team said no lawsuit has been filed to date, contradicting an earlier White House comment suggesting outside counsel had already submitted a case.
- The fallout has already led to the resignations of director-general Tim Davie and BBC News chief Deborah Turness, and the BBC is now examining a reported second similar edit that aired on Newsnight in 2022.