Alastair Campbell has slammed the BBC for its handling of the recent Gary Lineker Twitter controversy. Describing their stance as ‘craven political cowardice’ after they banned Gary Lineker from his presenting duties on Match of the Day, Mr Campbell has used his traditional forthright approach to challenge BBC executives.
The BBC announced that Gary Lineker wouldn’t be presenting Match of the Day pending an investigation into impartiality after Lineker criticised the government’s asylum policy on Twitter.
BBC executives released a statement saying that his social media activity had breached impartiality guidelines, a topic that is still particularly contentious at the broadcaster after a series of accusations about political bias. The statement said that BBC reporters and staff should stay away from making political statements or showing party bias.
Alastair Campbell’s view on the matter
However, Mr Campbell spoke freely on the matter when interviewed on BBC News by Ben Brown. His own impartiality was called into question, however, because Mr Campbell’s own political podcast, The Rest is Politics, with Rory Stewart, is produced by Goalhanger Podcasts; a company owned by Gary Lineker. Find out more at: www.theneweuropean.co.uk/contributor/alastair-campbell/.
Ben Brown began his own interview by calling out these business links, but Mr Campbell was quick to dismiss the idea that he was showing favour towards his business associate. He asked whether every BBC bulletin should begin with a disclaimer to explain that the BBC itself was chaired by a Conservative party donor.
Ongoing challenges for the BBC
Campbell went on to say that his wider point was that the Lineker controversy had been driven by political cowardice at the leadership level of the BBC. He further added that he believed Lineker had been put in his place for not toeing the line, and he gave praise to Ian Wright for showing ‘solidarity’ and refusing to appear on Match of The Day until Lineker was reinstated.
Mr Campbell further solidified his stance by adding that the phrase ‘Never be a bystander’ had been one that came out of 1930s Germany. The quote was particularly relevant given that Gary Lineker had also referred to this period of time in relation to government asylum policy, drawing parallels with the WW2 era.
Certainly, the BBC’s challenge with impartiality seems to be ongoing as the broadcaster continues to find the right balance in an increasingly divided political climate.
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