BBC chief resigns after row over Trump doccie

THE director general of the BBC announced his resignation at the weekend following a row over the editing of a documentary about Donald Trump as the US president attacked “corrupt journalists”.

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BBC Director General Tim Davie announced that he will step down as director-general of the BBC. | AFP

(AFP)

Tim Davie and the broadcaster’s head of news, Deborah Turness, resigned after accusations that a documentary by its flagship Panorama programme had edited a speech by Trump in a misleading way.

Reacting to the news, Trump said “corrupt journalists” had been exposed, adding “these are very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a Presidential Election”.

Announcing his resignation Davie said in a statement posted on the BBC website: “Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable.

“While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision... I have to take ultimate responsibility.”

The latest controversy follows a