New BBC boss warns staff over social media use

The BBC’S new director- general has warned staff over their use of social media, saying sharing their opinions online could harm the broadcaster’s reputation for impartiality.

Tim Davie said renewing the BBC’S commitment to being impartial is the “number one priority” amid accusations of bias from figures across the political spectrum.

Addressing staff at the BBC’S Cardiff office, Davie said: “If you want to be an opinionated columnist or a partisan campaigner on social media then that is a valid choice, but you should not be working at the BBC.”

He added: “Our research shows that too many perceive us to be shaped by a particular perspective.”

Davi e s a i d new r ul e s around employees’ use of social media will be introduced and will be “rigorousl y e nf or c e d”, whil e also hinting at a crackdown on the corporation’s stars making money from private companies.

Davi e a l s o a ddre s s e d doubts over t he f uture viability of the licence fee f unding model, s ay i ng he was not in favour of a Netflix- style subscription fee that would make the BBC “just another media company serving a specific group”.