On Monday, November 10, Donald Trump threatened to sue the British BBC for $1 billion. (almost PLN 4 billion) in connection with reports about his administration.
While Trump threatens a billion-dollar lawsuit, Putin watches contentedly from the sidelines. For both of them, this is the perfect moment to attack the Western media and their credibility.
The cause of all the confusion is believed to be the way the BBC edited Donald Trump's speech delivered just before the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. This fragment was used in the program “Panorama”, which was broadcast just a few days before the 2024 presidential election. In the document – as it was later revealed – Trump's words were cut and juxtaposed in such a way that they could give the impression of a direct call to violence.
It was this editing that sparked a wave of criticism towards the BBC and led to… one of the biggest crises in the history of the British public broadcaster. As a result, CEO Tim Davie and senior news editor Deborah Turness resigned, announcing their departure on Sunday, November 9.
The letter from Trump's legal team states that the BBC must retract “all false, defamatory, disparaging and inflammatory statements” about him by next Friday, November 14.
He also accuses the broadcaster of harming the president “huge financial and reputational damage“.
— BBC defamed President Trump, deliberately and deceitfully edited its documentary to influence the presidential election
said a spokesman for Trump's team.
The BBC admits its mistake
BBC chairman Samir Shah said the Trump documentary had been discussed repeatedly by the BBC's Editorial Guidelines and Standards committee and the avalanche of complaints in recent weeks had prompted “further reflection.”
“As a result of these considerations, we have concluded that the way the speech was edited did indeed give the impression of a direct incitement to violence,” he wrote in a letter to the committee. “The BBC would like to apologize for this error in judgment.”
Asked in an interview whether the US president – who has threatened lawsuits against many US media outlets – intends to sue the broadcaster, Shah replied: “I don't know yet. But he is a litigious person. So we should be prepared for all eventualities.”
Russia is getting into action
On Tuesday, November 11, the Russian embassy in London joined Donald Trump's attacks. In a post on Telegram, she addressed the dispute, claiming that BBC is 'nothing more than a tool of propaganda and disinformation'.
Its journalists choose facts and manipulate them. They also censor information that does not conform to their biased editorial line
says the post.
The Russian embassy in the London branch on Tuesday, November 11, accused the BBC of “systemic flaws, where ideological doctrine replaced journalistic ethics” and said that the broadcaster had been conducting “biased reporting” and “double standards” in its editorial policy for years.
This corporation has become a platform for Russophobia and extremism
— you can read in the post.
The article continues below the video
In a telephone conversation with BBC staff reported by the Guardian, outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie – who has admitted mistakes – responded to external criticism of the organization.
— These are difficult times for the BBC, but we will get through it. We will get through this and we will grow. This narrative will not only come from our enemies. This is our message. We are the owners.
I see that the free media is under pressure and is being used as a weapon. I think we have to fight for our journalism.
We made some mistakes that cost us a lot, but we have to fight for it, said Tim Davie.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
