US President Trump threatened the broadcaster with billions of dollars in lawsuits over a dubious compilation of a BBC documentary. The BBC has until Friday to respond to his ultimatum – without senior leadership.
When breaking news such as an attack or natural disaster occurs, the BBC accompanies it with a live ticker on the Internet. Since BBC director Tim Davie and news director Deborah Turness announced their resignations on Sunday evening, live news has been live on the BBC website – the crisis is so grave, the developments so astonishing.
After the top duo stepped down, BBC supervisory board chairman Samir Shah apologized for the editing error. In the documentary “Panorama” aired days before the US election in November 2024, US President Donald Trump’s speech was edited together to make it sound as if he was formulating a direct call to storm the seat of parliament, the Capitol, on January 6, 2021.
Trump demanded an apology and compensation
Even though Shah has apologized, Trump has now threatened the BBC with lawsuits worth billions of dollars. Shah was asked if he would also apologize personally to Trump: The chairman of the oversight board responded that they had received the letter from the president and would check how they responded. Trump’s lawyers gave the BBC a deadline of 11 p.m. German time on Friday to meet his demands.
The US president demanded that the BBC “issue a full and fair correction of the documentary”, apologize to Trump “for the false, defamatory, disparaging, misleading and inflammatory statements” and “provide adequate compensation for the harm caused.”
Media lawyer: There is little chance of the lawsuit being successful
This documentary is no longer available on the BBC media library, iPlayer, and was never broadcast in the US. This could essentially become a problem if Trump were to press charges, media lawyer Mark Stephens said in a BBC report. As for the possible harm, Trump would have to prove that the film – which aired days before the election he won – actually harmed him.
Because, said Stephens, Trump’s reputation has been tarnished by nine court cases, a number of congressional hearings and worldwide coverage of his role in the storming of the Capitol. Further legal proceedings against him are still pending. Lawyers say it will be difficult to prove that “Panorama” of all things is now further damaging his reputation.
There are always lawsuits against the media
Since taking office, Trump has sued or threatened a number of US media. In some cases, he also pocketed sizable settlement amounts. For example, he accused the US television station, CBS News, of shortening his rival Kamala Harris’s statements during the election campaign and benefiting him. The settlement cost CBS News $16 million.
He also recently threatened to sue CNN. CNN media journalist Brian Stelter advised the BBC on its “Newsnight” program to keep calm: Sometimes Trump complains, but often he doesn’t. Based on his experience, it is better to stand up to Trump firmly than to give in to his threats.
Coincidentally, Stelter believes Trump has not watched the documentary because many Trump supporters voiced their opinions in the film. The White House should like that, the journalist said.
English Minister of Culture standing behind the BBC
The BBC is facing an existential decision. Responding to Trump’s demands? Negotiate compensation or risk a lawsuit? These are billion-dollar questions he must answer alongside real crises, the loss of his leadership, and accusations of alleged partisanship.
In the House of Commons that evening, Labor Culture Minister Lisa Nandy firmly sided with the public broadcaster and warned the opposition against instrumentalization and political exploitation of the BBC crisis.
“Those who attack the BBC from the left or right for not representing their own views must realize what is at stake,” Nandy said. There is a fundamental difference between identifying actual wrongdoing and persistently attacking the institution as a whole.
