Gary Lineker set to be reined in by new BBC social media rules
Gary Lineker could be reined in on social media by new BBC guidelines following a row over the presenter posting his political views online.
The corporation commissioned an industry expert to draw up new social media rules for staff and on-screen stars following a backlash against the Match of the Day host’s likening of Tory government rhetoric to that heard in 1930s Germany.
Stars like Lineker who present extremely prominent “crown jewel” programmes might have to show more restraint under new guidelines, it has been reported.
One source told The Telegraph that the purpose of the review was to iron out “ambiguities” in the rules around expressing personal opinions, which earlier this year led to a stand-off between Lineker and BBC management.
Journalistic staff will be the most restrained, according to the reported recommendations of John Hardie, the independent reviewer and former ITN chief executive.
The Times reported that the second rung of a three-tiered system – presenters on non-news programmes – will be allowed more leeway to express their personal opinions online.
However, additional restraint will reportedly be placed on stars working on “crown jewels” programmes who are deemed to be prominent representatives of the broadcaster.
A source told the Times: “The crown jewels shows will include Match of the Day and the question will be whether his attitude has changed.”
It is hoped the review into social media use will make the guidelines clearer for staff and freelancers working for the broadcaster.
Lineker was taken off air in March after tweeting that Suella Braverman’s migrant plans constituted “an immeasurably cruel policy” presented in “language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s”.
There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries. This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 7, 2023
This was deemed to go against impartiality guidelines, but the Match of the Day host claimed that he had been given assurances by Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, that he could express his opinions on a limited number of issues of special interest to him, including climate change and migration.
Neither the BBC nor Lineker’s representatives have confirmed whether such an agreement would remain in place under new guidelines.
The presenter and top-earner at the BBC was back on air following the scandal earlier in 2023, in a move which Sir Craig Oliver, a former news executive at the corporation, said was a “capitulation”.
He added: “I think what’s happened here is Gary Lineker one, BBC credibility nil.”
To prevent a similar reputation-damaging scandal in future, a review of guidelines was commissioned to ensure there would be no uncertainty about what was expected of presenters when posting on social media.
A BBC spokesman said: “We will not be commenting on speculation in relation to the review.”
