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Exclusive: BBC staff have been banned from attending LGBT pride events and told they could be suspended if they breach the new rules. David Jordan, the head of editorial policy and standards, took the decision on Wednesday. https://inews.co.uk/news/media/bbc-staff-suspended-attend-lgbt-pride-events-ban-new-impartiality-rules-742247
It is understood senior management is concerned about the BBC being seen to take a side in the debate around trans issues, and has bracketed LGBT prides as political, alongside the likes of Black Lives Matter protests.
It only applies to people in the BBC who are expected to be politically neutral, such as in current affairs. One staffer at BBC Manchester was told they shouldnt be involved in Manchester Pride on a call today. Others in BBC told very different. Its clear this has created a mess.
Some BBC staff in mentions saying this isn't what they were told. I asked the BBC press office today if staff could be suspended or given a warning for attending pride under the new rules - they repeatedly did not deny it.
Asked for clarity on confusion, BBC said pride is fine if it is seen as a “a celebration”, but if the “trans issue" (as it was described) is involved then it passes as a protest and news and current affairs staff should not attend.
