Will new BBC social media rules stop the hate?
Conor O'Gorman
The BBC has published new guidance on the use of social media by its staff and freelancers, but will that stop some presenters whipping up hate against the shooting community, asks Conor O’Gorman.
Today, the BBC published its new guidance on the individual use of social media, which applies to everyone who works for the BBC, including freelancers. BBC employees found breaching the guidance in their social media posts could be sacked and freelancers risk having their contracts terminated.
There are several levels to the guidance. The strictest rules are for those working in news and current affairs and factual journalism production, along with all senior leaders in the corporation. These individuals cannot express a view on “a matter of public policy” or any other “controversial subject”, nor to “support campaigns”. Does that include presenters on factual journalism programmes such as Countryfile, Springwatch, and Earth?
The next suite of rules are for those working or freelancing for a defined list of flagship programmes. The programmes include The Apprentice, The One Show and Match of the Day. These individuals cannot take up an official role in campaigning groups or become involved in fundraising for campaigning.
The final category of rules are for “all other individuals working for the BBC”. These state that “Individuals or freelancers working elsewhere in the BBC are not required to observe impartiality in their social media activity, although they are expected to follow the rules on respect, civility in public discourse and disrepute.”
Real-world examples
Earlier this year Alan Sugar (The Apprentice) and Gary Lineker (Match of the Day) supported a political campaign to ban trophy hunting with a draft Bill being considered in parliament.
And at the start of this year’s grouse shooting season BBC presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin used their social media accounts to whip up hate against grouse moor managers and those participating in grouse shooting.
Where would the above examples now sit within the BBC’s new social media guidelines?
The Wild Justice twitter account currently carries the infamous ‘LIARS’ graphic with photos of the Prime Minister and two government ministers, which the RSPB apologised for publishing on social media. Will that image be taken down by the Wild Justice directors today?
And what about today’s political protest outside Defra HQ in London attended by BBC presenters who have been posting about it on social media?
Lodge a complaint with the BBC
There is some uncertainty around to whom each set of rules applies and therefore a lot of wriggle room. This means that it will take complaints to the BBC to iron things out – and that is where you come in.
From today onwards, if you see social media posts by BBC employees or freelancers attacking shooting or supporting and/or fundraising campaigns against shooting, please complain to the BBC with reference to the new social media guidelines.
Celebrities that have built up massive social media followers on the back of their work for the BBC need to stop and think about the impact of their actions on rural communities or face losing their own jobs and livelihoods.
The BBC has a complaints section on its website, which you can find here.
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