Foreword by David Clementi

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These Guidelines are an essential element in the delivery of the BBC’s mission; they should be used by all BBC programme and content makers to help deliver what our audiences expect.

The BBC exists to deliver high quality content that informs, educates and entertains our audiences. In doing so, nothing is more important than the BBC’s reputation for independence, impartiality and editorial integrity, combined with the highest levels of creativity.

The public and BBC audiences rightly demand the highest editorial standards from the BBC and it is the job of the BBC Board to ensure that our content – across all services and genres – meets those. The BBC’s Charter charges the Board with upholding the BBC’s editorial and creative independence and this principle is at the heart of these Guidelines. Our public purposes also specifically require the BBC to champion freedom of expression, as well as to provide duly accurate and impartial news, current affairs and factual programming.

The Board takes these responsibilities seriously and these Guidelines, approved by the Board, are designed to help achieve our editorial ambitions across an extensive range of output, both in the UK and around the world.

The Editorial Guidelines are the basis of our accountability to audiences. Following the Guidelines will ensure that we will all deliver the standards expected of us and meet the obligations set out in the Charter.

Sir David Clementi*

Chairman  

*Chairman at the time of publication of the guidelines (2019). Chairman is now Richard Sharp


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