What is Trump documentary controversy? What led to resignation of BBC’s DG and CEO?

The Daily Telegraph report claimed that Trump’s remarks in the BBC Panorama documentary were presented in a way that made it appear he directly incited the Capitol Hill riots.

New Delhi: Two top BBC officials resigned on Sunday following a report in The Daily Telegraph that alleged the BBC had incorrectly edited a speech by US President Donald Trump for its main documentary program before the Capitol Hill riots.

The BBC announced on Sunday that Director General Tim Davie and Chief Executive Deborah Turness had resigned. The Daily Telegraph report claimed that Trump's remarks in the BBC Panorama documentary were presented in a way that made it appear he directly incited the Capitol Hill riots.

Two top BBC officials resign
Announcing his resignation, Davie said in a statement posted on the BBC website, "Like all public organizations, the BBC is not perfect. We must always be transparent and accountable. However, leaving is entirely my personal choice." I made some mistakes, and as Director General, I take full responsibility for them.

What was in the report?
The primary reason for both resignations was an internal whistleblowing memo exposed by the British newspaper The Telegraph. This memo revealed that the BBC had broadcast an "edited" speech by Trump, which appeared to suggest he incited the Capitol Hill rioters and told them to join them in the fight. Trump had actually stated in his speech that he would march to the Capitol and encourage his senators and congressmen.

The leaked memo revealed that the footage had been edited to make Trump make such statements.

The BBC, one of the leading public service broadcasters
With 21,000 employees, the BBC is one of the world's leading public service broadcasters. It is funded primarily by license fees paid by the British public, along with commercial revenue. The broadcaster has a global reach through its international broadcasting operations.

What did Trump say about the Daily Telegraph report?
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt criticized senior BBC management over the controversy. Levitt accused the BBC of "deliberate dishonesty" regarding the Capitol Hill insurrection.

President Trump also responded to the news, writing, "There are very dishonest people who tried to change the outcome of the presidential election."

Previous controversies with the BBC
Serious flaws were revealed in a documentary titled "Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone," broadcast earlier this year, for which the BBC later apologized.