BBC stars mock rules on use of social media

BBC presenters appeared to hit back at a crackdown by its new leadership on political bias and virtue signalling just hours after new rules were introduced. Staff and contributors challenged the guidelines designed to “ensure the highest possible standards of impartiality” on social media. Under the rules, those in news-related roles must avoid indicating a personal or political view. But the backlash by some presenters has been dismissed by BBC sources as “just banter”.

BBC PRESENTERS appeared to undermine a crackdown on political bias and “virtue signalling” only hours after the new rules were introduced.

A number of staff and contributors challenged guidelines unveiled yesterday to “ensure the highest possible standards of impartiality” on social media.

Under the rules, those in news-related roles must avoid “virtue signalling” that could indicate a personal or political view, “no matter how apparently worthy the cause”.

James Wong, who makes regular appearances on Countryfile and Gardeners’ Question Time, tweeted: “I am making a new series for BBC World News, so I guess these directives apply to me? To confirm, if they do, I won’t be following them. ‘Virtue signalling’ isn’t an objective concept. It’s a weird alt-Right insult. Pandering to it deserves no place in public broadcasting.”

Earlier this week, Mr Wong criticised a potential inquiry into the National Trust following its review into links to the British Empire and slavery, posting: “An organisation dedicated to history is facing investigation for, well, teaching history.”

Other BBC presenters appeared to take issue with guidance over the use of emojis for fear of revealing a political or controversial opinion. Huw Edwards, the newsreader, who has spoken out on issues including the teaching of Welsh in schools, defiantly tweeted a string of Welsh flag emojis, adding: “The BBC’S new social media guidance says the ‘use of emojis can – accidentally, or deliberately – undercut an otherwise impartial post’.” Faisal Islam, the BBC’S economics editor, and Aled Haydn Jones, head of Radio 1, were among staff who tweeted their own emojis in support.

Meanwhile, Sangita Ryska, the Radio 4 presenter, ended a stream of tweets supporting a statue of the nurse Mary Seacole by saying: “I’m probably breaking the BBC’S new social media guidelines on impartiality... Grrrr.”

A BBC source said of the apparent backlash: “Some of it is just banter. Some of it will be pushed back. If nothing else, it shows why we needed to tackle this issue head on.”

The guidelines were an attempt by Tim Davie, the director general, to tackle accusations of political bias. Those who broke the rules faced possible dismissal “in serious circumstances”.

All BBC employees including freelancers are bound by most of the rules although the toughest ones apply only to staff in news-related jobs.

However, Gary Lineker, the freelance Match of the Day host criticised for attacking Brexit and the Government, is likely to face further pressure to stop airing his views as part of a new category of high-profile presenters with

James Wong I am making a new serieses for BBC World News, so I guess these directives apply to me? To confirm, if they do, I won’t be following them. ‘Virtue signalling’ isn’t an objective concept. It’s a weird alt-right insult. Pandering to it deserves no place in public broadcasting