A leading historian has criticised the BBC after the broadcaster reportedly removed a reference to Donald Trump from a recent BBC Radio 4 Reith Lecture, sparking fresh debate over editorial neutrality and censorship.
The historian, whose lecture focused on global democracy and political extremism, said the BBC edited out a key line mentioning Trump without prior consultation. The removed segment allegedly highlighted Trump’s influence on modern political rhetoric and threats to democratic norms.
The criticism has triggered public discussions over whether the BBC is exercising excessive caution, especially amid heightened political tensions involving the former U.S. president. Media observers argue that editing out politically sensitive content risks undermining trust and intellectual freedom in public discourse.
The BBC has not yet issued a detailed explanation for the removal.