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Lord Tony Hall, the former director general of the BBC, has firmly stated that the corporation should never use licence fee payers’ money to pay Donald Trump. This follows the BBC’s recent apology to the former US President for a Panorama episode that edited parts of his 6 January 2021 speech in a way that was misleading. Although the BBC rejected Trump’s demands for financial compensation, he has since indicated his intention to pursue legal action, potentially seeking damages ranging from $1 billion to $5 billion.
Lord Hall, who left his role as director general in 2020 after a seven-year tenure, expressed his disapproval when asked if public funds should be used to settle with Trump. Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, he said, “No, [it] should not happen. You’re talking about public money. It would not be appropriate.” The controversy over the edited speech has had significant consequences within the BBC, leading to the resignations of director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness.
Reflecting on the issue, Lord Hall described the editing of Trump’s speech as a “serious error” that should have been identified and addressed much earlier in the process. He also voiced concerns that the intense focus on the controversy has overshadowed the hard work, dedication, and commitment to impartiality shown by BBC journalists. Hall noted that the departure of two senior executives at a pivotal moment for the BBC’s charter renewal complicates the corporation’s future during a “crucial time.”
The BBC issued a statement on its Corrections and Clarifications page acknowledging that the Panorama episode, originally broadcast on 28 October 2024, had been reviewed following criticism over how the speech was presented. The corporation admitted that the editing unintentionally implied a continuous segment of Trump’s speech, which gave the incorrect impression that he made a direct call for violent action. Meanwhile, the BBC’s legal team has contacted Trump’s lawyers. Trump, speaking to GB News, insisted he had an “obligation” to sue the BBC, calling the edit “egregious” and comparing it unfavorably to a previous dispute involving CBS and an interview with Kamala Harris, his 2024 election opponent
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