Gary Lineker to return to Match of the Day after BBC suspension
A little background: Lineker was suspended by the BBC for criticizing government language he called "Nazi-like", in referring to asylum-seekers. A pretty extraordinary step that many perceived as the government using the BBC to squash freedom of expression.
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Gary Lineker is to return to presenting sport on the BBC after he was taken off air for criticising the language used by ministers when discussing the government’s asylum policy.
Tim Davie, the director general of the BBC, apologised on Monday for the widespread disruption to sports programming over the weekend, and announced an independent review of the corporation’s internal social media guidelines.
“Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences,” said Davie. “I apologise for this. The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air.”
Davie, who was responsible for introducing tough social media guidelines for staff after government pressure, said it was difficult to balance the BBC’s commitments to both impartiality and freedom of expression.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/mar/13/gary-lineker-to-return-to-match-of-the-day-after-bbc-suspension
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More Tory attacks on traditional freedoms.
