BBC Chief Tim Davie & News CEO Deborah Turness Resign Over Trump Documentary Controversy

BBC Director General Tim Davie and News Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Deborah Turness stepped down after reports that a Panorama documentary allegedly edited parts of Donald Trump’s speech to make it appear he encouraged the January 2021 Capitol Hill riots.

Davie began his career in marketing with Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo Europe before joining the BBC in 2005 as Director of Marketing and Audiences. He later became Director of Audio and Music, overseeing the BBC’s national radio services and digital output. Davie served as acting BBC Director-General from November 2012 to April 2013 and subsequently became Chief Executive of BBC Worldwide, the broadcaster’s main commercial arm. He led the merger of BBC Worldwide and the BBC’s production unit to form BBC Studios in 2018, driving global content distribution and achieving over 1.4 billion pounds in annual turnover. He was awarded a CBE in 2018 for services to international trade.

Turness has had a notable career in journalism, becoming the first woman to serve as President of a network news division in the United States. She led NBC News from 2013 to 2017 and later became President of NBC News International. Before her tenure at NBC, she was the Editor of ITV News, where she played a key role in shaping its editorial direction. In April 2021, she was appointed CEO of ITN, overseeing its global news and production operations. Her career spans leadership roles across major international broadcasters, reflecting her long-standing experience in newsroom management and editorial strategy.