Lisa Nandy has dismissed Donald Trump’s assertion that the BBC is “100% fake news” following a dispute over an edited Panorama documentary. The Culture Secretary affirmed her trust in the corporation’s leadership while awaiting the BBC’s response to the incident on Monday.

The controversy revolves around edited clips from President Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech, coinciding with the Capitol attack by his supporters. These clips were featured in a Panorama documentary aired by the BBC last October.

In response to Trump’s press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s criticism of the BBC as “total, 100% fake news,” Nandy labeled the accusations as “incredibly serious” but vehemently disagreed with the characterization. She emphasized the BBC’s importance, stating that it serves as a beacon of reliable information globally, particularly through its world service, offering essential news coverage where democratic discussions may be limited.

Nandy acknowledged being firm with the BBC regarding editorial shortcomings and disclosed discussions with the chairman, Samir Shah, to address the concerns raised, including allegations of systemic bias in reporting difficult issues. She expressed confidence in Shah’s handling of the matter and anticipated his report to the select committee on Monday.

Meanwhile, a dispute arose between Boris Johnson and BBC presenter Nick Robinson after the former PM accused the broadcaster of “arrogance” amidst claims of a campaign to undermine the corporation. Robinson highlighted both genuine concerns about editorial standards at the BBC and a concurrent political effort to discredit the organization.

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