The BBC’s outgoing director-general, Tim Davie, has rallied staff to defend the United Kingdom’s public broadcaster amid mounting legal threats from former US President Donald Trump and widespread scrutiny over alleged bias. Speaking to employees on Tuesday, Davie emphasized that the BBC’s narrative should be defined by its journalism, not its critics.

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“We Have to Fight” for Journalism

In a candid call with staff, Davie said he was “fiercely proud” of the BBC, acknowledging the broadcaster had made mistakes but underscoring the institution’s commitment to impartiality and public service journalism.

“We will thrive, and this narrative will not just be given by our enemies. It’s our narrative,” Davie told staff.
“I think we have to fight for our journalism. There are difficult times it goes through, but it just does good work. And that speaks louder than any newspaper, any weaponisation. We are the very best of what I think we should be as a society.”

Davie’s remarks come amid intense pressure on the BBC following the leak of an internal memo related to the controversial Panorama documentary Trump: A Second Chance?, which aired footage from Trump’s speech before the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Critics, including Trump himself, have claimed the footage was misleadingly edited, and Trump has threatened legal action unless the BBC issues a retraction and compensation by Friday.

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Leadership Shake-Up at the BBC

The controversy has rocked the BBC’s leadership, prompting the resignations of both Tim Davie and the BBC’s head of news, Deborah Turness, last Sunday. Their departure leaves the broadcaster without permanent leadership as it faces a mid-term government review of governance and regulatory arrangements.

Despite the turmoil, the BBC continues to receive strong public support. The broadcaster, funded largely by the UK’s 24 million licence fee payers, has been repeatedly rated as the most trusted news outlet in the country.

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BBC Faces Criticism from All Sides

Accusations of bias have come from both the political left and right. Conservative politicians and media outlets have often criticized the BBC for a perceived liberal tilt, while progressive critics have questioned the broadcaster’s coverage of politically sensitive topics such as Israel’s war in Gaza.

A YouGov poll released on Tuesday highlighted the split in public perception:

• 31% of respondents believed the BBC favored left-wing views.
• 19% believed it leaned right.
• 50% felt the broadcaster had no political bias or were unsure.

Support varied sharply by political affiliation:

• 73% of Reform UK voters and 52% of Conservative voters perceived a left-wing bias.
• 32% of Labour Party voters reported a right-wing bias.

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Public Trust Remains Strong

Despite accusations and high-profile controversies, the BBC remains widely regarded as credible and impartial. The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism found that 62% of respondents considered the BBC trustworthy, more than any other news outlet included in the survey.

Davie’s call to staff reflects a broader message: that the BBC must continue to uphold journalistic integrity, particularly when facing legal challenges and attempts to influence its editorial direction.

“We have to fight for our journalism,” he said. “This is about defending what we do and ensuring that the public gets the accurate, fair information it deserves.”