Former President Donald Trump has opened a new front in his war on the media, by filing suit against several media organizations. Of these outlets, the one that he’s most personally targeted is the BBC, threatening to sue them for up to $1 billion. His legal team argues that the British broadcaster has aired a ‘defamatory’ and ‘maliciously’ deceptive edit of his address. She gave this speech right before the January 6 Capitol insurrections of 2021.
Trump’s accusations extend beyond this legal claim. He has personally attacked BBC journalists, calling them crooks and liars. This is yet another example of Trump’s decades-long efforts to punish media companies that he doesn’t like. His administration decimated funding for public broadcasting services. This even included Voice of America and National Public Radio, underscoring his often contentious relationship with the press.
The legal threat posed to the public broadcaster is based in Trump’s argument that the BBC’s editorial decisions distorted his address. His lawyers have threatened the BBC with one-off orders to redact their coverage and directed them to ignore any public interest. Unless they do, these attorneys will be forced to file suit.
The weight of Trump’s comments on the potential media independence in the UK has raised alarm. Julie Posetti, an expert in media freedom, noted, “This is the intervention of a foreign state actor in the governance of independent public media in the UK.” She emphasized that the ongoing critique from Trump and his administration constitutes a broader campaign to undermine public trust in the BBC.
The ex-president’s hate was on full display, too, in his response to recent resignations at the BBC, which he celebrated on his social media platform. Director General Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness both resigned under fire after charges that the organization has lost its way. Turness remarked, “I stepped down over the weekend because the buck stops with me. I’d like to make one thing very clear – BBC News is not institutionally biased, that’s why it’s the world’s most trusted news provider.”
It’s an argument, and a set of supporting claims that have been swallowed whole by many in the right wing political establishment of the UK. Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats has gone further. To this end he is appealing for a cross-party political front in order to defend the BBC’s independence against Trump’s assault. The big question for politicians right now is not whether or how to defend the political independence of the BBC. It’s a world-leading institution and we need to stand up and defend it,” he said.
The White House continues to play a leading role in this story. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre seems hellbent on trying to destroy the BBC’s credibility first! This organized effort, perhaps unsurprisingly, seems to have included support from right-wing media over in the UK. It even enjoys the participation of former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron.
Trump’s actions and rhetoric reflect a broader trend seen during both his presidency and beyond, where he consistently confronts media outlets that criticize him. His administration’s media funding and regulation positions pose grave dangers. It points to a deep and dangerous trend of using press freedom as a bludgeon to force an increasingly subservient media environment.
Samir Shah, a media executive, commented on the impact of such editorial decisions: “Part of the problem is the way it was edited. What was the consequence of that? I think we just needed to go into a bit more detail.” He emphasized that knowing how the audience is going to perceive you is key, but recognized the pitfalls in complex narratives.
It goes without saying that the chilling effect of Trump’s comments on UK media is worth discussing here. As commentators point out, such high-profile attacks on journalistic integrity may lead to increased self-censorship among reporters and media organizations striving to maintain credibility amidst external pressures.
