New BBC boss tells staff to stop political tweeting & be impartial

The new Director-General of the BBC has told staff his top priority will be reaffirming the BBC’s commitment to impartiality and warned partisan voices should not work for the public broadcaster.

Tim Davie gave a speech to staff on his first day as the head of the BBC in which he laid out his plans for the future. Davie warned against political social media usage from employees, saying: “If you want to be an opinionated columnist or a partisan campaigner on social media then that is a valid choice, but you should not be working at the BBC.”

The new Director-General also admitted the organisation had been far too slow to reinvent itself as it attempts to compete against the likes of Netflix and Sky. Davie’s comments follow several high-profile rows involving BBC journalists who have been accused of failing to be impartial. Newsnight host Emily Matlis was slapped down by the BBC for using a monologue to criticise Dominic Cummings, whilst fellow Newsnight reporter Lewis Goodall faced questions over impartiality after writing a piece for the NewStatesman which was seen to be a partisan attack on the government.

One day after Tim Davie took up his new job, the corporation decided to reverse a decision not to sing Rule Britannia! and other patriotic songs at the Last Night of the Proms. According to newspaper reports, some at the BBC were concerned about colonial links to the songs which may offend some listeners. However, a public outcry of support for the songs ensued, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson weighing in against the BBC.

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