The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, has mocked the BBC following the resignation of its director general and head of news amid controversy over their coverage of the 2021 US Capitol riots. Leavitt shared screenshots of media reports mocking the BBC, including a Telegraph headline claiming President Trump was ‘going to war’ with the BBC and BBC’s own report on the resignations.
Director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness stepped down, citing ‘some mistakes made’ and the ‘ongoing controversy’ around a documentary on Trump’s role in the riots as causing damage to the BBC. Leavitt had previously referred to the BBC as a ‘Leftist propaganda machine’ and ‘total, 100 percent fake news,’ further escalating tensions.
The BBC, which is funded through a mandatory license fee of £174.50 ($229) and government subsidies, faces pressure to reform amid these developments. UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised Davie’s service to public broadcasting and called for the BBC to ‘adapt to a new era’ while maintaining its role as a national institution.
This incident highlights the growing divide between the US and UK in how they view media coverage of political events, particularly regarding Trump’s actions. The White House’s continued criticism of the BBC underscores its political stance and the broader implications of media bias in international relations.