Breaching BBC impartiality rules: Journalism identity, institutional networks and social media

Abstract

Since implementing its latest impartiality guidelines in October 2021, the BBC has rebuked several of its news presenters for related violations. BBC journalists are required to adhere to these norms, so why are some expressing defiance? In light of the BBC’s vast global reach and reputation for journalistic impartiality, this article uses social network and discourse analysis to explore how contemporary journalism is challenging the norm of impartiality. Drawing upon network analysis of the Twitter accounts of BBC journalists and a qualitative content analysis of their Twitter feeds vis-à-vis BBC’s impartiality guidelines, this study examines the relationship between their positions and roles with their discourse on the news online network. Based on our findings, journalists’ roles have a significant impact on their use of discursive approaches and stances on the subject of impartiality when transitioning from a regimen of balance to a regimen of due impartiality.