‘Avoid taking sides’ What the social media guidelines say

The BBC’S social media guidelines, issued in October 2020, make clear “anyone working for the BBC is a representative of the organisation, both offline and also when online”.

The rules distinguish between those working in news, current affairs and factual journalism, as well as those not involved in these areas. Those in the latter category, “nevertheless have an additional responsibility to the BBC because of their profile on the BBC”, the guidelines say.

They add: “We expect these individuals to avoid taking sides on party political issues or political controversies and to take care when addressing public policy matters.”