The BBC has defended its decision to censure Breakfast Show host Naga Munchetty for comments she made about US President Donald Trump. David Jordan, the corporation's director of editorial policy, stated that it is not BBC policy to be “calling out people for being liars or racist”.
Munchetty was found to have breached guidelines after expressing fury over Trump's remarks telling four Democratic congresswomen to “go home”, despite them being US citizens. She said she felt “absolutely furious” that a man in that position felt it was acceptable to “skirt the lines with using language like that”.
Jordan explained that under BBC editorial guidelines, Munchetty was allowed to accurately describe Trump's comments as racist and analyse their impact, but she was not permitted to express a personal opinion on the motives and character of the person making those comments. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the ruling had been misinterpreted, emphasising the importance of objectively analysing statements rather than making assumptions about individuals.
The BBC received many complaints, but only one individual pursued the case to the executive complaints unit. Jordan acknowledged that Munchetty was “led down the path by her co-presenter” Dan Walker, but Walker was not investigated as the complaint only targeted Munchetty. This has sparked anger among BBC journalists over how a single complaint led to a public crisis about the corporation's handling of race issues.
The Guardian understands the editorial complaints unit consists of seven individuals, with only two women and no one from an ethnic minority background. BBC staff have been reminded not to tweet support for Munchetty or face sanctions, though some managers privately admitted the decision was wrong.
