She informed Mornings with Ridge and Frost: “I think it’s really regrettable that Tim Davie had to step down – huge commitment to the BBC and public service broadcasting.
“However I feel he was proper to take action. I feel restoring belief within the company has acquired to come back first.”
Dame Caroline, who will chair a tradition, media and sport committee assembly on Tuesday the place the problem will likely be mentioned, mentioned the BBC was “very slow to react” to a leaked report by Michael Prescott, an unbiased adviser to the BBC’s editorial tips and requirements board.
The file, despatched to the BBC board and leaked to The Every day Telegraph, accused a Panorama particular on Donald Trump, launched every week earlier than the 2024 US election, of being “neither balanced nor impartial – it seemed to be taking a distinctly anti-Trump stance”.
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Tim Davie resigned on Sunday night. Pic: PA
He additionally mentioned the programme had spliced two clips from separate elements of Mr Trump’s speech to his supporters on 6 January 2021, the day of the Capitol Hill riots, to present the “impression that Trump had incited protesters to storm Capital Hill”.
Mr Prescott additionally raised bias considerations in regards to the BBC’s protection of trans points and the battle in Gaza.
Dame Caroline accused the BBC of failing to take his report severely “until it was too late”.
Ms Turness arrived on the BBC’s central London headquarters on Monday morning, the place she admitted “mistakes are made” however mentioned there may be “no institutional bias”.
She defended the BBC’s journalists, saying “of course” they aren’t corrupt and so they “strive for impartiality”.
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Outgoing BBC Information boss Deborah Turness spoke to media on Monday. Pic: PA
Dame Caroline mentioned the scenario “has to influence the BBC charter decisions”.
The BBC’s Royal Constitution outlines the company’s mission, public functions and governance, together with particular obligations and the way it’s funded.
It’s up for renewal in 2027, with the federal government at the moment finishing up a evaluate to find out the BBC’s future, together with its funding mannequin and mission.
Dame Caroline mentioned the final evaluate, 10 years earlier than, put integrity because the BBC’s prime missions.
She added: “I think the charter has to look at how the BBC retains its balance and its integrity, how it retains the trust of the British people and the licence fee payer, because, you know, that’s absolutely fundamental for the future of the BBC.
“However really it displays upon us as a nation, as a result of the BBC is such a well-known and such a properly revered model world wide.”
BBC chair Samir Shah is anticipated to apologise in a letter to Dame Caroline’s committee later at this time.
