BBC Presenters Told To Challenge Guests Who Label Others “Transphobic” After JK Rowling Errors
deadline.comEXCLUSIVE: BBC presenters have been told to challenge guests who accuse others of transphobia after the broadcaster admitted that news items on JK Rowling fell short of its editorial standards.
In an internal briefing note, BBC journalists and production teams were advised that “care is needed” when people are labeled “transphobic” and the term should be interrogated during on-air debate.
The advice featured in a nine-page document on “reporting sex and gender” circulated to the BBC newsroom late last year. Deadline has obtained the briefing, which can be read in full below.
The guidance follows the BBC apologizing to Rowling twice last year. The Harry Potter author was accused of transphobia by trans rights advocates, but the claim was not properly challenged by presenters, including Radio 4’s Evan Davis.
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