The British government defends the BBC but does not clarify whether it should apologize to Trump.

British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy defended the BBC's central role "in the country's democratic and cultural life" in the House of Commons on Tuesday. This was her first appearance since the scandal surrounding the manipulated episode of Panorama about Donald Trump,broadcast last November, which caused Sunday night the resignation of the director general and the head of newsTim Davie and Deborah Turness.

Nandy has described the BBC as "a national institution that belongs to all of us" and "a light" in a global media landscape at a time when "the lines between fact and opinion, between information and propaganda, are becoming dangerously blurred." with the US president to avoid having to confront a billion dollar lawsuitNandy has ignored the request, remaining silent. Meanwhile, outgoing editor Tim Davie defended the role of the station's journalists in a speech addressed to thestaff and in public statements upon arriving at Broadcasting House in central London.

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking, because the deadline Trump has set before the claim can proceed is Friday at 5 p.m. Washington time. However, many lawyers specializing in litigation between and with media outlets have appeared on various British newspapers and television programs, asserting that the lawsuit has little chance of success. The reason is that the clumsy manipulation of the Republican's words, with the editing of fragments of his January 6, 2021, speech separated by 50 minutes, cannot conceal all of the president's previous statements, which are responsible last of the assault on the Capitol

On the other hand, the minister's tone has generally been more self-critical than defensive, to the point that she has expressed her "frustration" at having had to intervene in Parliament on several occasions recently regarding BBC-related issues. At the same time, she has acknowledged that "changes at the top of the organization are not the solution." And she has announced that members of the BBC's editorial standards committee will appear before MPs to testify about the current crisis.

The head of the department did acknowledge that "the editorial errors made must be addressed seriously" and recalled that the corporation's president, Samir Shah, "accepted" them, while also committing to act "firmly, swiftly, and transparently." And according to Nandy, these apologies are only "the first step" in a broader review process.

Attacks from the left and the right

"The government must address the situation, but it must also preserve what the BBC does, one of the country's most beloved and respected institutions," she asserted. And despite the criticism received "from both the left and the right," Nandy emphasized that the corporation remains "one of the UK's most trusted sources of information." She also warned: "Those who attack the BBC for not expressing the views they share should remember that there is a fundamental difference between pointing out editorial errors and attacking the institution itself."

The minister also announced the start of an "in-depth review" to define the BBC's role and funding over the next decade, culminating in the renewal of the Royal Charter that governs the organization, which is due to come into effect on January 1, 2028. "Our aim is to ensure that the BBC remains independent, accountable to the public, and able to maintain its mission to inform, educate, and entertain in the 21st century," the minister said.

The parliamentary debate has revealed the political divide surrounding the corporation. Conservative MP Huddleston accused the BBC of being "in a sorry mess because of him." Huddleston also highlighted "a growing number of examples of biased reporting," citing coverage of the conflict in Gaza, the treatment of gender issues, and the use of data "provided by Hamas."

The Liberal Democrats, on the other hand, warned that "the scandal is being used as a political weapon by the BBC's enemies." Some Labour MPs echoed this view and pointed to the presence of political figures on the governing board, such as Robbie Gibb, former communications director for former Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May, as a possible source of bias at the top of the network. Nandy reiterated that "editorial and internal governance decisions" are the exclusive responsibility of the BBC board, and that the government "cannot and should not interfere with them." However, he insisted that the current situation demands "reforms that strengthen the corporation's independence from any political or economic pressure."