The BBC has told Donald Trump that it will not be paying him $1billion in compensation for “mistaken” edits on Panorama.
Last week, reports emerged that an episode of the long-running current affairs show that aired in 2024 had appeared to splice together comments from Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech at the US Capitol to made it appear like he had actively encouraged the attacks on US Congress on the same day.
The controversy contributed to the shock resignation of the BBC Director General Tim Davie and the BBC News CEO Deborah Turness on Sunday (November 9).
Now, the corporation has issued a formal apology to Trump, admitting that the Panorama edits gave “the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action”. They said the episode in question would not be aired again and it has been removed from the BBC iPlayer.
Trump’s lawyers had threatened to sue the BBC for $1billion (£759million) in damages unless they issued a retraction, an apology and compensated him.
The BBC wrote to Trump in response, with a spokesperson saying: “BBC chair Samir Shah has separately sent a personal letter to the White House making clear to President Trump that he and the corporation are sorry for the edit of the president’s speech on 6 January 2021, which featured in the programme”.
“While the BBC sincerely regrets the manner in which the video clip was edited, we strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim.”
The BBC have argued that the legal case should not apply because the show was not broadcast in the US and it did not harm Trump’s 2024 election campaign. They also said the clip was not designed to mislead, but was edited to shorten a longer speech.
In his resignation letter, Davie said: “In these increasingly polarised times, the BBC is of unique value and speaks to the very best of us. It helps make the UK a special place; overwhelmingly kind, tolerant and curious.”
“Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable.
“While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision. Overall, the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility.”
During his time in charge of the BBC, Davie dealt with a number of high-profile controversies, including rows over former Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker’s political views, Huw Edwards’ conviction of making indecent images of children, and the BBC’s broadcast of Bob Vylan‘s controversial Glastonbury performance.
