The BBC has been busy funding its own fan mail. It is commissioning glowing reports about itself…
Four weeks ago, the corporation commissioned consultancy Public First to produce a report titled ‘The Creative Engine’ including a section ‘The BBC: A Catalyst for Growth Across The UK’. Unsurprisingly, the conclusion was flattering:
“The next BBC Charter must also be used to drive growth across the sector. Industry must collaborate on tech investment within a supportive policy environment to nurture UK-owned IP.”
The European Broadcasting Union – to whom the BBC is one of the largest contributors – released its own study in June asking whether public service media “crowds out” commercial online news. The answer, conveniently, was no. It insists that lavishly-funded public broadcasters actually “crowd in” commercial players, boosting revenues and reach for everyone. It goes on to say the BBC’s online news operation “stimulates demand for quality journalism” and “pushes commercial publishers to innovate.”. Worth remembering that the licence fee funding model is now under threat in an expanded charter review thanks to the latest set of scandals…
John Simpson, the BBC’s World Affairs Editor, posted a boast on X this morning about the BBC:
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
— John Simpson (@JohnSimpsonNews) November 11, 2025
Guido’s Verify service began examining the claims. No need, Simpson debunked himself…
Within hours he posted an apology:
“It’s apologising season. The audience for BBC output in the US is just over 40 million, not 77 million as I said. That’s the figure for the Americas as a whole. But the BBC is indeed the second most trusted news source in the US.”
The original tweet was seen over 300,000 times. Half-right is good enough for the BBC…
Simpson’s boast about the BBC’s viewership in the US may also be seen as unhelpful seeing as one key point Trump will have to prove is that the miselading Panorama programme was viewable in Florida. D’oh!
The BBC has suffered a major blow as it loses the support of heavy-hitting legal mind Jolyon Maugham – trying his hardest to predict the result of any legal battle between the corporation and Donald Trump. Guido can only imagine it is full-blown crisis mode in Broadcasting House…
Any proceedings are of course likely to take place in Florida, not the UK. After this Jolyon offered his view on the BBC’s editorial lines: “a senior BBC News bod told me how they coded into their visual imagery criticisms of Jeremy Corbyn. But sure, it has a Left wing bias.” People are still complaining about the hat…
Robert Peston says the BBC board is likely to resist calls for a settlement out of court and will risk Trump following through on his threat. Currently the line is that they will “respond directly in due course”…
Outgoing BBC Director-General Tim Davie, doorstepped outside BBC HQ by the BBC, says the BBC is “going to be thriving” as he steps down. No mention of Trump’s threat to sue the broadcaster for $1 billion…
This email has been sent to everyone in BBC News & Current Affairs by Jonathan Munro, Deputy director of the BBC News who is now acting Head of News:
“Dear all
Following events of the last 24 hours, I’m writing alongside the rest of News Board to acknowledge how difficult this situation is and reassure you that our vital and valued work providing trusted journalism continues. The coming days and weeks will be hard but our trusted, impartial and agenda-setting journalism is more important than ever and must continue as our audiences expect.
It’s never easy when we are the story – and this time it feels particularly challenging. Thank you for everything you’re doing to report this news with the professionalism, candour and respect BBC News is known for.
I’d like to express my thanks and gratitude to Deborah for all she has done for BBC News over the past three years. She will leave an enormous legacy and work that we will continue.
I know many will feel unsettled and uncertain about what happens next. Details are still being worked through about how Deborah’s successor will be appointed and we’ll share everything we can as soon as we know it.
In the meantime our work continues as usual. As Deputy News CEO I will have overall responsibility for editorial decisions for the moment, working with News Board, leaders and teams across the division.
There will be an all-BBC staff call tomorrow and we’ll hold an all-News call on Wednesday at 15:30 GMT – calendar invites to follow. In the meantime please speak to your manager if you have any questions. The leadership team are here to support you as we work through this time of change together.
Finally, as speculation and commentary continues, please remember to follow our social media guidelines and take particular care when posting anything on social channels.
Thank you again for your commitment and dedication to BBC News.
-J.”
That’s going to be a fun call…
Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1 billion unless they retract the Panorama documentary. He said the BBC has until 10 p.m. on Friday to comply…
In a letter seen by the New York Times, Trump’s legal team demand:
“a full and fair retraction of the documentary and any and all other false, defamatory, disparaging, misleading, and inflammatory statements about President Trump in as conspicuous a manner as they were originally published. Immediately issue an apology for the false, defamatory, disparaging, misleading, and inflammatory statements about President Trump. If the BBC does not comply with the above by November 14, 2025, at 5.00 p.m. EST, President Trump will be left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights, all of which are expressly reserved and are not waived, including by filing legal action for no less than $1,000,000,000 (one billion dollars) in damages. The BBC is on notice.”
Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”
