Sports, entertainment, or natural history presenters will have ‘more leeway’ to tweet their views (Picture: Getty)
Gary Lineker and other freelancers who aren’t news reporters will retain their right to tweet their political views as they wish, the BBC’s new social media guidelines are set to reveal, according to an MP.
SNP MP John Nicolson claims he has advanced knowledge of the outcome of the independent review, which was put into motion following the Match of the Day presenter’s impartiality row earlier this year.
In March, Lineker was temporarily taken off air after tweeting that the language used by the Government to promote its asylum plans was not dissimilar to that used in 1930s Germany.
Lineker returned to Match of the Day after a boycott by top on-air talent, including Alex Scott and Ian Wright, and the BBC launched an independent review of its social media guidance for freelancers.
Speaking about the review, which was helmed by ex-ITN chief executive John Hardie, Mr Nicolson said it had come to a ‘common sense position’.
‘If you are a news presenter you cannot say anything that identifies your politics,’ he said. ‘If you are a sports or entertainment or natural history presenter, you will be given a lot more leeway to express your views.
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‘If you are freelance, you will have more leeway than a staff member.’
BBC director-general Tim Davie admitted it has been ‘tough’ deciding where to draw the line between social issues and party-political issues.
During Tuesday’s select committee session, Mr Davie said: ‘We are obviously doing the social media review… It’s been tough in terms of where do you draw the line between social issues and party political issues, tone.
‘I think we want to find the right balance.’
The boss of BBC admitted it was ‘tough’ deciding where to draw the line (Picture: Laurence Griffiths/The FA via Getty Images)
Mr Davie added it was ‘not right’ to say that everyone across the BBC did not have a right to express a view.
‘And I think audiences are smart, they can say, “Okay this individual has views but they’re presenting a nature programme”.’
Asked whether he’s happy with how Lineker has tweeted since Mr Davie added: ‘That hasn’t been a concern of mine.
‘What’s been a concern is getting the social media review to a point where it can be delivered flawlessly, and that is not easy.’
Mr Davie revealed he is expecting the report back to them imminently.
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Sports, entertainment, or natural history presenters will have ‘more leeway’ to tweet their views.