BBC Chair Samir Shah has publicly apologised for an "error of judgement" regarding the editing of a documentary that featured a speech by former US President Donald Trump. This apology follows significant backlash and over 500 viewer complaints after the Panorama programme aired, which many felt misrepresented Trump's words, suggesting he called for violent action during the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021.

In a letter to the UK parliament's Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Shah acknowledged that the editing created a misleading impression. He stated, "The way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action. The BBC would like to apologise for that error of judgement." This controversy was brought to light by a leaked memo from former BBC adviser Andrew Prescott, which highlighted concerns about the documentary's handling of Trump's speech.

Shah explained that the Panorama team aimed to convey the context of Trump's speech and its reception among his supporters. However, he admitted that the issue should have been treated with more urgency and formal action should have been taken at the time. He noted that the matter was initially discussed as part of a broader review of the BBC's US election coverage, rather than as a specific complaint.

The fallout from this incident has been significant, leading to the resignations of BBC Director General Tim Davie and News Chief Executive Deborah Turness. Both leaders faced criticism over the network's editorial standards and alleged bias. In response to the controversy, Davie clarified that his resignation was a personal decision and not due to pressure from the BBC Board. He acknowledged that while the recent issues contributed to his departure, they were not the sole reason.

Turness also addressed the situation, admitting that the BBC had made mistakes but firmly rejected claims of institutional bias within the organisation. She reassured staff of the BBC's commitment to impartiality and announced a review of editorial practices to restore public trust.

The BBC is now under scrutiny not only for the Trump documentary but also for its coverage of other sensitive topics, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and trans issues. The government has indicated plans for a charter review to ensure the BBC can maintain a sustainable funding model amid these challenges.