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Everything we know so far about the BBC’s Pride rules:
* The BBC’s new impartiality policy does not specifically ban attending Pride parades.
* Across a range of meetings to explain the new rules, most staff were not given the impression attending Pride would be banned.
* The BBC’s new impartiality policy does not specifically ban attending Pride parades.
* Across a range of meetings to explain the new rules, most staff were not given the impression attending Pride would be banned.
* In at least a few of those meetings, *some* news staffers (who face stricter rules than other staff) were told by senior management they would not be allowed to attend Pride.
* The BBC, given many chances to clarify those rules by two newspapers, chose not to do so yesterday.
* The BBC, given many chances to clarify those rules by two newspapers, chose not to do so yesterday.
* This morning, after significant anger, Tim Davie issued a loosely-worded letter that claims to correct “inaccurate commentary” on the issue.
* It does not mention the confused briefings came from his own management team, or explain why the press office didn’t deny the story.
* It does not mention the confused briefings came from his own management team, or explain why the press office didn’t deny the story.
* Davie’s letter says that news staff can attend Pride in general, but has odd wording around “political” issues.
* Background comments suggest “the trans issue” is still seen as a sticking point. Rules on what is and isn’t permitted re trans pride events still unclear.
* Background comments suggest “the trans issue” is still seen as a sticking point. Rules on what is and isn’t permitted re trans pride events still unclear.
So where are we?
* Initial reporting on some news staff being told not to attend Prides was correct. Some were.
* There never was a ban for all staff, nor is it written in policy for news staff - but the rules are vague enough that some senior managers thought it was banned.
* Initial reporting on some news staff being told not to attend Prides was correct. Some were.
* There never was a ban for all staff, nor is it written in policy for news staff - but the rules are vague enough that some senior managers thought it was banned.
* Tim Davie’s letter suggests the BBC management is blaming everyone but itself for a self-inflicted injury. He has made no move to apologise.
* A rush to now dismiss the entire story is misguided. The rules are still nebulous, and clarifications are needed on trans pride events.
* A rush to now dismiss the entire story is misguided. The rules are still nebulous, and clarifications are needed on trans pride events.
* Obviously, it’s an emotive issue. Both the strength of concern, and the angry defences of the BBC, show how important this is to get right.
* Let’s not forget, at the crux of this story, some BBC staff were told not to attend Pride events. They’ve not yet had a public apology.
* Let’s not forget, at the crux of this story, some BBC staff were told not to attend Pride events. They’ve not yet had a public apology.
Worth noting, away from Pride:
* While trans issues aren't specifically mentioned, the new guidelines refer five times to restrictions around "controversial subjects."
* Advice on whether a subject is controversial is "available from Editorial Policy." This bit is key.
* While trans issues aren't specifically mentioned, the new guidelines refer five times to restrictions around "controversial subjects."
* Advice on whether a subject is controversial is "available from Editorial Policy." This bit is key.
* As I reported last month, I've seen evidence the Editorial Policy unit has already intervened in coverage featuring trans people to require inclusion of cisgender 'gender critical' voices. This bit is not theoretical - it's already in effect. https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/09/30/bbc-boss-tim-davie-transgender-trans-policy-parliament-mp-john-nicolson-snp/
* With this in mind, these are the restrictions that staff working in "news and current affairs, factual journalism production or senior management" could be expected to obey in public spheres relating to transgender people.
