Leo Kearse has shared his thoughts on the new BBC social media rules, following a row over comments made by Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, where he branded the government's policy on asylum seekers "cruel".
The BBC have now issued new guidance for their flagship presenters, stating among the list of rules that they cannot "endorse or attack a political party, or criticise the character of individual politicians in the UK." However, they can "express opinions about the issues that matter to them".
Speaking on GB News show Headliners, Nick Dixon, Leo Kearse and Josh Howie discussed the move by the broadcaster and aired their opinions on the concerns surrounding presenters and impartiality.
Nick said: "Let's be very fair to Gary Lineker. We like to be very fair here. He has tweeted or X'd already and said this is all very sensible. So he seems fine with it. It's been worked out with him, presumably."
Josh joked in response: "I don't think you should agree with his opinion!"
Nick then said: "I should be very impartial. We know the BBC takes impartiality very seriously. Just look at Newsnight."
He then asked: "Leo, can you really police everything, 'cause this is where we're going. We're going for like more and more policing, Ofcom, online safety bill and so on. Whereas what if you just went the other way? You get rid of the license fee, right? Because that's the part that puts people's back up. They have to pay for it. And then you just let people do what they want?"
Leo replied: "I mean when you're paid by the license fee, which is basically a sort of state mandated tax, a levy on people, and it's a regressive levy, so poor people have to pay the same amount as rich people, then, you know, if people are paying through this tax for this state propaganda broadcaster, then you know, surely it should be beholden to some rules. It shouldn't just be a bunch of playboys swanning around tweeting willy nilly."
Watch the discussion in full above.
Tune in to Headliners, every night from 11pm, only on GB News.
