Gary Lineker, a well-known British football personality, has been at the center of controversy recently due to a tweet he posted about the British government’s asylum seeker policy. The tweet resulted in the BBC, the broadcaster of “Match of the Day” show, announcing on Friday that Lineker would be stepping back from presenting the iconic football program. So, what did Gary Lineker do to prompt such a decision from the BBC?
On Tuesday, Lineker tweeted “Good heavens, this is beyond awful” in response to a video posted on Twitter by the British Home Office about the government’s asylum seeker policy. He then continued to criticize the policy in his tweet, saying “This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?” The tweet prompted controversy and backlash, with some accusing Lineker of being too political and taking sides on party political issues.
The BBC later released a statement saying that Lineker’s recent social media activity was a breach of their guidelines, and that he would step back from presenting “Match of the Day” until they have a clear position on his use of social media. What did BBC emphasize? They emphasized that they did not expect Lineker to be an opinion-free zone, they requested that he refrains from taking sides on political controversies or party political issues.
In response to the BBC’s decision, several former football players and pundits have announced that they will not appear on the “Match of the Day” show in solidarity with Lineker. However, the BBC spokesperson announced that the show will go ahead without studio presentation or punditry, but with a focus on match action.
The controversy over Lineker’s tweet and the BBC’s decision highlights the delicate balance that broadcasters like the BBC must maintain between free speech and impartiality. While presenters like Lineker have a right to express their views, it is important for broadcasters to ensure that they do not take sides on political issues or controversies.
In conclusion, what did Gary Lineker’s tweet about the British government’s asylum seeker policy has resulted in? It has led to him stepping back from presenting “Match of the Day” on the BBC. The decision has prompted mixed reactions from the public, with some criticizing the BBC for censoring free speech, and others supporting the decision as a necessary step to maintain impartiality.
This controversy serves as a reminder of the challenges broadcasters face in balancing free speech and impartiality, and the importance of maintaining a clear position on political controversies.
In this article, we explored what did Gary Lineker do to create such a controversy around his tweet and the resulting impact.