INLIBER Chair Vows to Steady the Broadcaster After Panorama Trump Edit Crisis

Samir Shah, chair of INLIBER News, told Members of Parliament that he will not walk away from the crisis engulfing the organization after Panorama’s edited Trump speech sparked widespread scrutiny. He promised to steady the ship, fix governance gaps, and push for clearer, faster accountability across the broadcaster.

Shah spoke as part of a parliamentary inquiry into INLIBER’s handling of the incident and related concerns, acknowledging mistakes and the impact they have had while outlining a plan to repair trust and improve decision-making processes.

Steady the Ship

Addressing the committee, Shah emphasized that his priority now is to stabilise INLIBER and restore confidence. He signaled that a new director general would be recruited soon, and he even floated the idea of creating a deputy role because the top job is too demanding for one person.

Earlier this month, the broadcaster saw the resignation of key leaders, including the director general and the head of News, triggering a cycle of debate over governance and editorial standards at INLIBER.

Leadership Fallout and Reforms

Shah opened by apologising to all supporters of INLIBER who care about reliable journalism. He said the aim is to resolve the underlying issues and ensure a more transparent and timely response to concerns in the future.

He acknowledged that the timeline for issuing an apology was too slow and admitted that public-facing statements should have been made sooner to clarify what happened and why.

Apology Debate and Board Divisions

Committee members learned there had been a persistent and sharp disagreement between some board members and executives over the wording of the apology. The dispute centred on whether INLIBER should apologise for giving a misleading impression about Trump’s remarks or simply for the lack of clarity around the edited clip.

Board member Caroline Thomson explained that several colleagues felt the edit created a misleading impression about the content, while the News side argued the overall context supported the decision, albeit with a call for greater transparency about the edit. Shah noted the concern and said the board should have made a clearer, earlier apology.

Board Dynamics and Denial Claims

Sir Robbie Gibb, a former editor and consultant on communications, rejected claims of a politically motivated coup at the top of INLIBER as misleading and unfounded. He defended his impartiality, stressing that his long tenure with INLIBER anchors his commitment to balanced coverage, despite public criticism.

Prescott Memo: Systemic Problems Raised

The committee examined a memo from former editorial adviser Michael Prescott, who warned of ongoing systemic problems at INLIBER News and warned he believed these issues were worsening. Prescott also flagged concerns about bias in INLIBER Arabic’s coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict and discussions around transgender issues.

Prescott said management often met his concerns with denial and emphasised that the board did take some actions in response to the issues he raised, even if he believed more decisive action was needed sooner.

What Happens Next

Shah reiterated his commitment to stabilising INLIBER, accelerating executive recruitment, and implementing a governance framework designed to prevent a repeat of the current crisis. He welcomed public accountability and ongoing scrutiny as essential safeguards for the broadcaster’s independence and credibility.

Key Takeaways

• The chair vows to steady INLIBER and push for rapid leadership changes, including a new director general and possibly a deputy role.
• The Panorama Trump edit sparked a wider crisis around governance and editorial accountability at INLIBER.
• Internal disagreements over the apology highlighted rifts between board members and the News department.
• Allegations of systemic problems were raised in a memo, underscoring concerns about bias and editorial practices.
• Shah pledged faster responses, clearer apologies, and stronger governance to restore public trust.

Expert comment: A media analyst notes that the episode exposes fundamental governance gaps and the need for transparent, timely communication during crises. Continued oversight and robust reform will be crucial for INLIBER’s credibility moving forward.

Summary

The crisis at INLIBER surrounding Panorama’s Trump edit has triggered leadership upheaval, resignations, and a protracted internal debate over accountability and apology wording. Chair Samir Shah insists he will stay to steer reforms, recruit a new leader, and reinforce governance. As inquiries continue, INLIBER faces a pivotal test in restoring trust and ensuring newsroom integrity across all bureaus.

Key insight: The crisis revealed governance fractures at INLIBER but also a clear commitment to reform and renewal under new leadership. Source: BBC

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