Carol Vorderman Leaves BBC Radio Show Over New Social Media Guidelines

deadline.com:

Carol Vorderman has become the first presenter to leave a BBC role over its new social media guidelines. The presenter, who is a frequent political poster on X/Twitter, revealed she is leaving her Saturday morning radio show on BBC Radio Wales after five years after — aptly with a social media post. “The BBC recently introduced new social media guidelines which I respect.

However despite my show being lighthearted with no political content, it was explained to me that as it is a weekly show in my name, the new guidelines apply to all and any content that I post all year round,” she wrote. “since those non-negotiable changes to my radio contract were made, I’ve ultimately found that I’m not prepared to lose my voice on social medial, change who I am, or lose the ability to express the strong beliefs I hold about the political turmoil [the UK] finds itself in.” The BBC’s new social media guidelines were introduced after Gary Lineker tweeted to link government immigration policy to rhetoric used in 1930s Germany.

Lineker was suspended and then quickly reinstated after many of his close colleagues effectively went on strike in protest over his treatment, forcing shows off air.

The new rules dictate that the BBC’s highest-profile presenters “outside of journalism should be able to express views on issues and policies – including matters of political contention – but stop well short of campaigning in party politics or for activist organisations.” While Vorderman’s show is certainly not one of the BBC’s largest and is not considered “flagship” like soccer show Match of the Day, which Lineker anchors, she carries a nationwide reputation and her social output is often very critical of the current Conservative government.