BBC Panorama Accused of 'Doctoring' Trump Speech, Internal Whistleblower Reveals

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is facing severe scrutiny following revelations from an internal whistleblower, Michael Prescott, alleging that its flagship investigative program, Panorama, deliberately doctored a Donald Trump speech. The report claims the program edited footage to falsely portray Trump inciting the Capitol riot, a week before the 2024 US election. This accusation highlights broader concerns about the BBC's journalistic integrity and impartiality, particularly in its coverage of politically sensitive events.

According to the whistleblower's 19-page dossier, the Panorama episode, "Trump: A Second Chance?", aired in October 2024, spliced together segments of Trump's January 6, 2021, speech. The edited version made it appear as though Trump said, "We’re gonna walk down to the Capitol and I’ll be there with you and we fight. We fight like hell." However, Trump's actual speech included the phrase "to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard" when discussing marching to the Capitol, and the "fight like hell" remark occurred nearly an hour later in a different context.

Michael Prescott, a former independent adviser to the BBC's Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee, compiled the dossier after his concerns were allegedly dismissed by senior executives and the Director-General. He warned that the "mangled" footage "completely misled" viewers and created a "very, very dangerous precedent." The report also noted that footage of rioters was shown immediately after the doctored speech, creating a false impression that they were acting on Trump's direct incitement.

The allegations extend beyond the Trump speech, with the whistleblower and other critics pointing to a pattern of ideological bias within the BBC. The tweet content explicitly states, "The same BBC that forged Trump's words has whitewashed Hamas's war crimes," referencing a Gaza documentary narrated by the son of a Hamas minister. The BBC has faced conflicting criticisms regarding its Israel-Hamas coverage, with some reports alleging anti-Israel bias and others, including internal staff, accusing it of anti-Palestinian bias and a reluctance to use terms like "terrorists" for Hamas.

The revelations have prompted strong reactions, with political figures calling for immediate investigations into the BBC's editorial practices. Opposition politicians have demanded an explanation and apology, emphasizing that the BBC's license fee is justified on the basis of impartiality and trust. The scandal could have significant repercussions for the corporation's reputation and its upcoming negotiations for royal charter renewal in 2027.