In a statement the BBC Director-General called the veteran international footballer a “valuable part” of the organization and apologized again for the lack of sports coverage at the weekend and the turmoil among staff.
London, Thanasis Gavos
The dispute with Gary Lineker has been resolved, the BBC has announced, with the organisation’s popular and highest-paid presenter returning to the Match of the Day show this weekend.
In his statement, Director General of the BBC Tim Davey described the veteran international as a “valuable part” of the organization and apologized again for the weekend’s lack of sports coverage and turmoil among staff.
He also announced that there will be an independent assessment of the rules for the use of social media by BBC employees, especially those who are partners of the station and do not cover political current affairs, such as Gary Lineker.
Mr Davey admitted there were potentially confusing “grey areas” in the BBC’s current social media rules, which he had ordered to be rewritten in 2020 precisely because of Lineker’s frequent public statements on political and social issues. issues.
He stressed, however, that impartiality is important to the BBC and its audience. He added that the organization is “committed by its statute to impartiality and freedom of expression”.
For his part, the 62-year-old presenter said on Twitter that he was “delighted” that the matter was resolved after a few “surreal” days and added that he was proud to work for “the best and most objective channel” in the world.
As a final thought he added that “as difficult as the last few days have been, they just don’t compare to having to leave your home due to persecution or war to seek refuge in a faraway country – it’s heartwarming to see compassion in the face of suffering them from so many of you.”
The report alludes to Lineker’s days-long crisis in relations with the BBC being his scathing Twitter criticism of the Conservative government’s new Illegal Immigration Bill.
His punishment by the BBC sparked a “mutiny” by the rest of the BBC’s football presenters, reporters and commentators on television and radio.
Mr Davey also said Gary Lineker had agreed to abide by current social media impartiality rules until an independent review was completed.
Source :Skai
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
