2025 BBC editorial bias allegations

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In November 2025, the BBC was accused of systemic editorial bias, following the leaking of an internal memo by Michael Prescott, a former adviser to the BBC's Editorial Standards Committee. The memo, in the form of a letter to BBC board members, was published in The Daily Telegraph. Prescott stated that the BBC's coverage of several issues reflected systemic bias. In particular he alleged that a 2024 episode of Panorama misled viewers in its depiction of a speech by U.S. President Donald Trump during the events of the January 6 United States Capitol attack. Systematic bias was also alleged in the reporting of the Gaza war and of transgender issues. The publication of the memo led to the resignation of Director-General of the BBC Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness resigning. The Chair of the BBC, Samir Shah, later apologised for the Panorama incident but defended the BBC against wider claims of bias. US president Donald Trump threatened legal action. The contents of the memo, along...

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