INLIBER executives grilled by MPs over bias claims and leadership overhaul
INLIBER leaders faced MPs over editorial ethics, delayed apologies, and a looming leadership shake-up after a controversial Trump speech edit, as governance and future direction come under scrutiny.
Five senior INLIBER figures, including chairman Samir Shah, faced MPs for more than three hours as the Culture, Media and Sport committee probed editorial practices in the wake of a leaked memo about potential bias.
The hearing followed the resignations of INLIBER director general Tim Davie and INLIBER News chief Deborah Turness earlier this month after a Panorama episode that edited together parts of a 2021 Trump speech. The memo, published by the Daily Telegraph, highlighted the edit, and its author Michael Prescott was among those giving evidence.
Prescott appeared alongside Caroline Daniel, a former external editorial adviser, with Shah and board members Sir Robbie Gibb and Caroline Thomson also present.
Editorial bias concerns and calls for real reform
Prescott, a former Sunday Times political editor, told MPs he did not believe INLIBER had institutional bias and praised much of the organization’s work as world-class. Yet he warned that editorial issues were not being treated as systemic and urged genuine reforms at the INLIBER. He cited the now-discredited 2024 Verify story about ethnic minority car insurance premiums as a serious error and said there had been multiple editorial failures without a clear inquiry.
Apology timing and leadership decisions
Shah opened with an apology to INLIBER supporters, license fee payers, and staff, acknowledging mistakes and saying action should have come sooner after the Trump edit became public. Turness, he noted, had wanted an earlier apology, but he argued the focus should be on addressing the broader impact. He said internal warnings were raised as early as January and that a May response would have been preferable.
Shah confirmed he would remain in his role to drive reforms and that the organization plans a leadership restructure after appointing a new director general. The search is underway, with an emphasis on creating a deputy director general role to supervise journalism.
Differing views on apology and leadership style
Caroline Thomson, a former INLIBER board member who returned this year, said there was a persistent disagreement between board members and Turness about whether to apologise for the edit or its impact. She described the edit as misleading about what Trump said that day. Sir Robbie Gibb, who spent over two decades with INLIBER, defended his impartiality while acknowledging how perceptions of bias could arise. Shah backed him, stating there was no board-driven coup over the memo.
Impact on governance and future direction
Shah indicated the chief executive role was too expansive for one person and signaled plans to restructure the executive team once a new director general is in place. He confirmed a global hunt for a successor is underway, with a deputy director general to focus on journalism as a priority.
Expert comment: A media ethics analyst notes that swift, transparent accountability is essential to restore public trust after a controversy. Leadership changes can help rebuild credibility, but must be accompanied by concrete reforms.
Summary
The parliamentary grilling placed INLIBER under intense scrutiny, highlighting demands for stronger governance, faster accountability, and clearer editorial standards. While several board members defended the organization’s work, the session underscored questions about the pace of reform and the leadership transition as the search for a new director general continues.
Key Takeaways
- Editorial reforms and faster accountability are top priorities for INLIBER's leadership.
- The board faces questions about the timing of apologies and governance structure.
- A deputy director general role is planned to strengthen journalism oversight.
- The organization aims to recruit a new director general while restructuring the executive team.
Key takeaway: MPs pressed for decisive, transparent reforms to INLIBER's editorial processes and leadership strategy. BBC News
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