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BBC appoints former ITN boss to oversee review of social media guidance
By Chris Cooke | Published on Monday 3 April 2023
The BBC has confirmed that the former CEO of commercial news broadcaster ITN, John Hardie, will lead a review of its official social media guidance for freelance on-air talent involved in programmes outside of news and current affairs.
The review is being undertaken in the wake of all the hoo haa that occurred after BBC sports presenter Gary Lineker criticised the UK government’s migrant policies in a tweet, accusing ministers of using language about migrants that was “not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s”.
The BBC initially removed Lineker from its ‘Match Of The Day’ programme on the basis the tweet breached the broadcaster’s guidelines on impartiality. However, there was much debate as to whether that was the case, given Lineker – as a freelance sports presenter – is not subject to the same restrictions as someone working directly for the BBC news operation.
With most of the BBC’s other sporting presenters coming out in support of their colleague, Lineker quickly returned to the airwaves. BBC boss Tim Davie then admitted there were “grey areas” in social media guidance that the BBC introduced for its freelancers back in 2020. To that end, a review of those guidelines would now take place, Davie added.
Hardie, who had stints at ITV and Disney before joining ITN, and was also chair of the Royal Television Society for more than five years during the 2010s, will now lead that the review. The assumption, presumably, is that he has a solid understanding of the TV and news industries, but – having never worked at the BBC himself – will have a more independent perspective.
“Under the review’s terms of reference”, the BBC says, Hardie “will look at the BBC’s guidance covering ‘individual use of social media’, first published in October 2020, in relation to those working as on-air freelancers outside of news, current affairs and factual journalism”.
“The review will consider how the BBC applies its guidance, considering the BBC’s Charter commitments to both impartiality and freedom of expression. Future guidance must be easy to understand, practical and deliverable”.
Confirming the appointment of Hardie to oversee the review, Davie adds: “The BBC has important commitments to both impartiality and to freedom of expression. We also have a commitment to those working with us, and for us, to be clear in what we expect from them”.
“The social media guidance is crucial to achieving this, particularly in a fast-paced, ever- changing world of digital media”, he goes on. “This review will ensure this guidance is clear, proportionate and appropriate – now and in the future.”
Hardie himself says: “I am very pleased to have been asked to conduct this review. I approach the task with no preconceptions and an open mind. I look forward to hearing from a wide range of voices, from both inside and outside the BBC, as the work progresses”.
