Summary of complaint
We鈥檝e received complaints about Gary Lineker's recent tweets on聽the government鈥檚 Illegal Migration Bill, and the 大象传媒鈥檚 response to this issue.
Our response
大象传媒 Director-General, Tim Davie, has released a statement regarding Gary鈥檚 use of social media. In it, he鈥檚 said the following:
鈥淓veryone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences. I apologise for this. The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the 大象传媒鈥檚 social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air.
鈥淚mpartiality is important to the 大象传媒. It is also important to the public. The 大象传媒 has a commitment to impartiality in its Charter and a commitment to freedom of expression. That is a difficult balancing act to get right where people are subject to different contracts and on air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles. The 大象传媒鈥檚 social media guidance is designed to help manage these sometimes difficult challenges and I am aware there is a need to ensure that the guidance is up to this task. It should be clear, proportionate, and appropriate.
鈥淎ccordingly, we are announcing a review led by an independent expert 鈥 reporting to the 大象传媒 鈥 on its existing social media guidance, with a particular focus on how it applies to freelancers outside news and current affairs. The 大象传媒 and myself are aware that Gary is in favour of such a review.
鈥淪hortly, the 大象传媒 will announce who will conduct that review. Whilst this work is undertaken, the 大象传媒鈥檚 current social media guidance remains in place.
鈥淕ary is a valued part of the 大象传媒 and I know how much the 大象传媒 means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend.鈥
Gary himself has also commented on the matter, stating: 鈥淚 am glad that we have found a way forward. I support this review and look forward to getting back on air.鈥
We recognise the strength of feeling these issues have provoked across our audience, and we鈥檇 like to reassure all audiences that this has been heard and discussed across all levels of the 大象传媒.