BBC to apologize to Trump over ‘doctored’ clip accused of spreading ‘fake news’

LONDON, ENGLAND: The BBC is set to issue an apology for an episode of 'Panorama that used an edited clip of a Donald Trump speech about the US Capitol riots, after the White House accused the broadcaster of spreading “100 per cent fake news.”

The expected apology is likely to come from BBC chairman Samir Shah in a letter to Culture Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage. It follows revelations that a former advisor had raised concerns that the footage was “doctored” to suggest the president encouraged the January 6 violence.

BBC faces scrutiny over edited Trump clip in Panorama episode

The controversy centers on a clip from the October 2024 episode in which Donald Trump was shown telling supporters he would “walk to the Capitol” with them to “fight like hell,” omitting his full statement pledging to walk with them “peacefully and patriotically to make your voices heard.”

Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC’s editorial standards committee, raised alarms over the summer, saying the corporation had “mangled” the clip.

Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the footage as “100 per cent fake news,” adding, “This purposefully and dishonestly edited clip by the BBC is further evidence that they are total, 100 per cent fake news that should no longer be worth the time on the television screens of the great people of the United Kingdom.”

After the report, the UK Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee demanded answers from Samir Shah, with a BBC spokesperson confirming that “The BBC chairman will provide a full response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Monday.”

According to the Daily Mail, a copy of the internal memo was also sent to Downing Street, which was “assured” by the BBC that it would examine the issues raised.

UK Culture Committee presses BBC on handling of Trump clip concerns

In her letter, Dame Caroline Dinenage said the BBC had serious questions to answer regarding both its editorial standards and the way senior management handles internal concerns.

She wrote, "The corporation must set the benchmark for accurate and fair reporting, especially in a media landscape where it is all too easy to find news presented in a less than impartial way," adding that reassurance was needed that those at the top "are treating these issues with the seriousness they deserve and taking decisive steps to uphold the corporation's reputation for integrity and public trust."

The row adds to a difficult period for the broadcaster, which has recently faced scrutiny over its handling of complaints related to presenter Gary Lineker’s social-media activity and accusations of bias in its coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict, prompting renewed calls for stronger editorial standards. 

Nick Robinson clashes with Boris Johnson over BBC standards row

The internal struggle over accountability has spilled into a very public spat involving former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

On Saturday, Today presenter Nick Robinson questioned whether Johnson was "well placed to lecture anyone else on upholding standards and admitting mistakes" after the former premier accused the BBC of using the scandal as a "diversionary tactic."

Robinson had earlier acknowledged on air that there was "a genuine concern about editorial standards and mistakes" at the corporation, but asserted that "There is also a political campaign by people who want to destroy the organisation that you are currently listening to. Both things are happening at the same time."

Johnson, speaking to the Mail, rebutted, saying, "There is a difference between trying to destroy the BBC and trying to hold it to account. This is just a diversionary tactic from an organisation that is too arrogant to think it might be at fault."

Robinson hit back on X, asking, "Hands up all those who think Boris Johnson is well placed to lecture anyone else on upholding standards and admitting mistakes," and reflected on the BBC’s position: "We, like others, undoubtedly make mistakes. We, like others, need to listen & learn. We can & will do better but we should stand up to those who prefer propaganda & disinformation."