BBC Chief Defends Journalism Amid $1 Billion Trump Lawsuit Threat Over Capitol Riot Documentary

"I see the free press under pressure," outgoing director general Davie reportedly told staff amid growing tensions.

The BBC's departing chief executive urged employees to "fight" for their journalism on Tuesday as the organization faced a potential lawsuit from Donald Trump over an editorial misstep involving the US president.

Tim Davie's motivational address came in response to Trump's threat of a $1 billion lawsuit against the broadcaster, a situation that has intensified scrutiny on an institution frequently caught in political crossfires and cultural debates.

The controversy has exposed internal divisions at the respected media organization regarding coverage of sensitive issues like the Gaza conflict, while simultaneously placing the British government in a delicate position with its closest international partner.

"I see the free press under pressure, I see the weaponisation. I think we've got to fight for our journalism," Davie reportedly told staff, just two days following his resignation alongside BBC News CEO Deborah Turness over the controversy.

The BBC issued an apology on Monday for creating the impression that Trump had directly encouraged "violent action" shortly before his supporters stormed the US Capitol in 2021, as portrayed in a documentary aired in October 2023.

Trump's legal team sent a letter to the BBC with a Friday deadline to "appropriately compensate" the president for "harm caused" by the edit or face a $1 billion lawsuit.

During his address to staff, Davie acknowledged the broadcaster had made "some mistakes that have cost us" and admitted that times were "difficult," according to BBC reporting.

He added: "We will thrive and this narrative will not just be given by our enemies: It's our narrative," as reported by UK media outlets.

The publicly funded broadcaster has increasingly faced accusations of bias from various political perspectives.

The current crisis, which escalated after the Daily Telegraph published a leaked memo by former BBC advisor Michael Prescott, has revealed significant divisions within the BBC and its governing board.

Prescott's report highlighted concerns about potential anti-Israel bias in the BBC's Arabic service, coverage of the Gaza conflict, and reporting on transgender issues, among other topics.

In a public apology regarding the Trump speech edit, BBC chair Samir Shah stated Monday that the organization had taken steps to address other issues raised in Prescott's memo and promised to reform oversight mechanisms.

Some current and former BBC journalists have attributed the claims of "institutional bias" to right-wing board members – allegations Turness denied.

However, Mark Urban, a former BBC editor and presenter, suggested in a blog post that "culture wars" and liberal influences were also responsible for editorial lapses.

This controversy emerges at a politically sensitive moment for the BBC, which must soon renegotiate its Royal Charter outlining the corporation's governance structure. The current charter expires in 2027.

Despite recent controversies – which have prompted calls to change the license-fee funding model the BBC relies upon – Davie expressed confidence that the broadcaster was in a "really good position to get a good charter."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government faces a challenging balancing act between supporting the public broadcaster's independence while avoiding the appearance of opposing Trump, with whom they have carefully maintained relations.

Culture Minister Lisa Nandy was scheduled to address Parliament regarding the situation later Tuesday.

Trump has been accused of conducting a hostile campaign against US news and media organizations since returning to office in January, and his legal team is threatening to sue the BBC in Florida.

They would be filing too late in the UK, where libel claims generally have a one-year time limit, given that the documentary aired there in October 2024.

Trump would face additional challenges in his legal pursuit. Media and defamation lawyer Matthew Gill told AFP that the Panorama documentary likely had a "very small audience" in the United States, making it difficult to demonstrate harm to Trump's reputation.