[Football] Gary Lineker to step back from presenting MOTD

[Titanic]

Gary Lineker to step back from presenting MOTD

Gary Lineker to step back from presenting Match of the Day until agreement reached on social media use - BBC statement

www.bbc.co.uk

Gary Lineker is to step back from presenting Match of the Day until an agreement is reached on his social media use - BBC statement.
It follows an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the government's new asylum policy.
In a tweet, the presenter had compared the language used by the government to set out its plan to "that used by Germany in the 30s".

 

[Goldstone1976]

I think the current senior management have a definition of that doesn’t match mine, otherwise Andrew Neil and Lord Sugar would have had the same treatment. It’s actually the thing that worries me the most about this situation

Yes - I agree. The lack of consistency is worrying for sure.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Quite similar to various Scandinavian public services then.
With the difference that public service here are supposed to have a basic understanding and following of democratic values since it is the public service of supposedly democratic countries. If you have a public service in a democracy, its pretty weird to allow it to operate as a fascist entity.

ok mate

 

[rogersix]

I fear that you’re showing a lack of understanding of the uniqueness of the BBC in British (probably the world’s) media.

‘Due impartiality’ is an absolutely central tenet of its Charter and every employee/contractor knows that.

andrew neil? alan sugar?

 

[Goldstone1976]

Close to where I am, too - but from my reading of the guidelines, Lineker isn't necessarily in breach. Firstly, the generic section includes:

"There are also others who are not journalists or involved in factual programming who nevertheless have an additional responsibility to the BBC because of their profile on the BBC. We expect these individuals to avoid taking sides on party political issues or political controversies and to take care when addressing public policy matters."

That's an "expectation" - it's not saying you can't take sides. Further on, in the section which sets out how the guidelines will be applied, it states:

"For all colleagues working in news and current affairs (across all Divisions) and factual journalism production and all senior leaders:
d) Do not reveal how you vote or express support for any political party.
e) Do not express a view on any policy which is a matter of current political debate or on a matter of public policy, political or industrial controversy, or any other ‘controversial subject’."

Clearly, these sections do NOT apply to Lineker, as he's not working in those areas.

There are further explanations about "controversial subjects", but again, these apply to news and current affairs staff.

I think it's entirely arguable by Lineker that he hasn't broken the rules. But even if it's deemed that he has, they aren't clear!

And if the BBC doesn't clarify the guidelines, it'll remain a complete mess. IMHO, at the end of the day they need to find a way for people like Lineker, Andrew Neil, David Attenborough, etc, to be able to have a decent level of freedom of speech - unless they are working in news and current affairs

I cover exactly these points in an earlier post. I'll see if I can find it.

TL;DR? I agree 100% with the emboldened bit.

 

[Goldstone1976]

andrew neil? alan sugar?

See my post 1141.

Entirely wrong to be selective, I agree.

 

[Springal]

 

[Wozza]

Ideal opportunity to refresh the programme. Lineker, trying to be overly funny and the asides and in-jokes, are all frippery and totally unnecessary. " Remind me Alan, how many times did you win the FA Cup " (....very amusing....from a multiple Cup winner himself....LOL )
A hugely overpaid, self appointed media warrior, who believes that the general public hang on his every word.
If he isn't reinstated, which I hope happens for the good of the show, it will test the resolve of his sympathetic mates. Give Jermaine Jenas or Mark Chapman the Saturday job and lets get back to good old straightforward presentation.

What does his salary have to do anything? At what pay level is a BBC contractor allowed/not allowed to express an opinion in public?

Also, if you don't like the 'bantz' style of sports reporting, I have news for you - it's everywhere.

Anyway... as mentioned numerous times in this thread, personal opinions on the format of MOTD are completely irrelevant to this topic.

 

[DJ NOBO]

I fear that you’re showing a lack of understanding of the uniqueness of the BBC in British (probably the world’s) media.

‘Due impartiality’ is an absolutely central tenet of its Charter and every employee/contractor knows that.

yep.
Although Pointing this out is not as much fun as saying we’re all going to get fired, or worse , if we question the government.

 

[Curious Orange]

I'm a bit nonplussed by this, as the reaction on all sides seems a bit over the top to what doesn't seem a remarkably controversial tweet.

 

[rogersix]

See my post 1141.

Entirely wrong to be selective, I agree.

how do you think it will be resolved, the end of davie, and then kick it into the long grass with a very expensive report?

 

[Withdean11]

I don’t like Lineker, and certainly don’t agree with him politically, but I support his right to free speech on Twitter, as I do with everyone across the political spectrum.

I believe he should always remain impartial while on air (I believe he does??) but he should be able to say whatever he pleases online, IMO.

The problem is, very few people are consistent on this. How many defending Lineker here can honestly say they would hold the same opinion if somebody on the right had said something similar? Both sides are guilty of this.

I do find the reaction from Wright/Shearer etc. a bit silly though.

 

[Wozza]

This one has made much bigger headlines I think, so I have picked up on it.

Yes, the BBC made it (Lineker's comment, not government policy!) lead story on the evening news, Radio 4 etc.

The Daily Mail have splashed it all week, goading the BBC into disciplinary action even after it said it wouldn't.

You simply don't get that when Sugar, O'Neil etc break impartiality rules. Funny that, eh?

 

[Wozza]

Lineker is entitled to an opinion as we all are. However, his mistake was to compare the UK government to one of the most vile regimes in history, this was out of order.

He didn't. That's your mistake.

 

[rogersix]

I do find the reaction from Wright/Shearer etc. a bit silly though.

why silly? it's powerful

 

[DJ NOBO]

Yes, the BBC made it (Lineker's comment, not government policy!) lead story on the evening news, Radio 4 etc.

The Daily Mail have splashed it all week, goading the BBC into disciplinary action even after it said it wouldn't.

You simply don't get that when Sugar, O'Neil etc break impartiality rules. Funny that, eh?

I thought you said earlier that Lineker didn’t break impartiality rules?

 

[Jim in the West]

why silly? it's powerful

Absolutely - without Wrighty, Shearer and the others, the BBC could have bluffed this out. Lineker would slink off, and everything would be back to normal. Another slap in the face for "woke warriors" like Lineker. BBC DG could have a nice G&T with his paymasters in the Tory party, and they would all congratulate themselves.
That was the BBC's (and presumably the government's) massive miscalculation. They thought they could just slot someone else into MotD and all would be fine.

 

[Zebedee]

Why doesn't Lineker just do as he's told? I for one am not at all interested in his opinions, particularly when they're completely misguided. Sack him I say....

 

[Guinness Boy]

Yes - I agree. The lack of consistency is worrying for sure.

And, to be clear, I’d prefer they were all free to speak without being cancelled. For me impartiality can be achieved with balancing or offsetting voices, so a Lineker cancels out a Neil. It’s what made South Park great - everything was on the table.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Why doesn't Lineker just do as he's told? I for one am not at all interested in his opinions, particularly when they're completely misguided. Sack him I say....

I’m not interested in yours. Should I ban you?

 

[Wozza]

I thought you said earlier that Lineker didn’t break impartiality rules?

I don't think he did. He wasn't, for example, campaigning for a specific party, unlike the BBC's Lord Sugar...