The BBC has faced criticism after its complaints unit ruled that presenter Naga Munchetty was wrong to comment critically on US President Donald Trump's motives or the consequences of his words during a discussion on Breakfast TV. Munchetty had condemned Trump's tweets telling four Democratic congresswomen to 'go back to where they come from' as racist, and expressed anger at the racism she has faced herself.
David Jordan, the BBC's director of editorial policy and standards, later clarified that it was acceptable for Munchetty to call the tweet racist, but not to criticise Trump personally. However, columnist Kenan Malik argues that this distinction is specious, noting that other BBC journalists, such as New York correspondent Nick Bryant, have called Trump racist without reprimand.
Malik contends that Munchetty was not reporting on the topic but expressing her opinion, and that ruling her comments inappropriate not only reins in the calling out of racism but also makes it more difficult to draw the line between news and opinion. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions within the BBC over how to balance impartiality with the expression of personal views by its presenters.
