The BBC has published revised guidance on the personal use of social media after an impartiality row with Gary Lineker.
The independent review, led by former ITN boss John Hardie, suggests that while a programme is on air, and for a two-week window before and after the series, presenters on flagship shows must not endorse or attack a political party.
It comes after Lineker’s brief suspension from hosting Match Of The Day after he compared the language used to launch a new government asylum seeker policy to that of 1930s Germany, prompting criticism from members of the Tory party.
Mr Hardie spoke to more than 80 people, both inside and outside the BBC as part of the review.
The guidance, published on the BBC website on Thursday, sets out that while the programme is on air and for a two-week window before and after the series, presenters working on Flagship Programmes must not:
- Endorse or attack a political party (including parties in government or opposition).
- Criticise the character of individual politicians in the UK.
- Comment on any issue that is a matter of political debate during the election period for UK general elections and referendums in any part of the UK.
- Take up an official role in campaigning groups or become involved in fundraising for campaigning.
The guidance for encouraging civilised public debate on social media – which covers anyone working for the BBC – states:
- Do treat others with respect, even in the face of abuse.
- Do not use offensive or aggressive language and do conduct yourself with courtesy.
- Do take particular care when commenting on the issues that provoke the greatest debate.
- Do not attack individuals, even when you disagree with their views.
- Do be careful with rebuttals – they can feed conflict
- Do not criticise your colleagues in public. Respect the privacy of the workplace and the confidentiality of internal announcements
- Do not be drawn into ill-tempered exchanges, or exchanges that will reflect badly on you, or the BBC.
- Do not promote law breaking
BBC Director-General Tim Davie says: “We all have a responsibility to treat people with civility and respect, particularly at a time when public debate and discussion, both on and offline, can be so polarised. The BBC also has important commitments to both freedom of expression and impartiality – and this rightly extends to social media.
“I would therefore like to thank John Hardie, and all those who took part in this review, for such a thorough, clear and considered report.
“Clarity on how those working for the BBC use social media is not only important for them and the organisation, but also for our audiences. The new guidance, which includes new requirements for presenters of our flagship programmes, is both proportionate and fair and protects these commitments.”
