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Shumeet Banerji, a member of the BBC’s board, has stepped down citing concerns about “governance issues” within the corporation’s leadership. In a letter explaining his resignation, Banerji expressed frustration over not being consulted regarding the circumstances surrounding the recent departures of the BBC’s director general, Tim Davie, and its News chief executive, Deborah Turness. The BBC confirmed Banerji’s resignation in a statement on Friday, while attempts to reach Banerji for further comment have been made by BBC News.
Earlier in November, both the director general and the BBC News chief executive resigned following controversy tied to a Panorama episode that featured an edited portion of a 2021 speech by then-US President Donald Trump. This incident has provoked debate about the BBC board’s methods of oversight and strategic direction. Given Banerji’s remarks on governance, his resignation can be seen as a clear critique of the board’s leadership, particularly chairman Samir Shah and other key members.
Banerji’s departure arrives at a challenging moment for the BBC, with Shah and board members Sir Robbie Gibb and Caroline Thomson scheduled to testify before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee of MPs. Parliament has already raised concerns regarding political appointees on the BBC board—five in total, including Shah and Gibb. Among the issues expected to be discussed are allegations surfaced in a leaked report, claiming the BBC faces “systemic issues” in its coverage, such as that relating to the Israel-Gaza conflict and matters of sex and gender. Both Turness and Davie have denied these claims. The report, authored by Michael Prescott, a former independent external advisor to the BBC’s Editorial Standards Committee, was published by The Telegraph and notably highlighted the Panorama editing error.
The BBC has since admitted that the Panorama edit misrepresented President Trump’s words, creating “the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action” on the day of the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot. Trump has threatened legal action, accusing the BBC of defamation. While the corporation has issued an apology, it has declined to provide the financial compensation requested by Trump.
Banerji, who joined the BBC’s board as a non-executive member in 2022, was tasked with safeguarding the BBC’s independence and acting in the public interest through independent judgment, as described on the BBC’s website. He is the founder of an advisory and investment firm specializing in technology and previously led the management consultancy firm Booz & Company. The BBC’s twelve-member board oversees the corporation’s public service mission and sets its strategic direction, largely funded by licence-fee payers. The board is led by Shah, a former documentary filmmaker, and non-executive members play a key role in holding the BBC’s executive management accountable. A BBC spokesperson confirmed Banerji’s resignation and noted that his term was due to expire in December. They added that the search for his replacement is well underway and updates would be provided in the future
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