View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

BBC issues new guidance for journalists on using Twitter: ‘Don’t do anything stupid’

By William Turvill

BBC News journalists have been told not to “do anything stupid” on social media after Jasmine Lawrence’s anti-UKIP tweet.

According to The Guardian, head of the BBC newsroom Mary Hockaday has sent an email to staff reminding them of the corporation’s "very clear social media guidance".

It comes after BBC News channel editor Lawrence tweeted: "#WhyImVotingUkip – to stand up for white, middle class, middle aged men w sexist/racist views, totally under represented in politics today."

She was subsequently taken off election coverage duty, with a spokesperson saying: "Jasmine Lawrence was tweeting from a personal account. She has been reminded of her responsibility to uphold BBC guidelines. She has deactivated her twitter account and will now be playing no part in the BBC's election coverage in coming days."

The Guardian reported Hockaday as saying in an email to staff yesterday: "Social media is now a vital part of our work, allowing us to get our journalism to new audiences, connect with people, and gather news as it happens.”

Pointing staff in the direction of the BBC’s social media guidelines, she added: “[T]he guidance is clear when it comes to personal activity: 'As a BBC member of staff – and especially as someone who works in News – there are particular considerations to bear in mind. They can all be summarised as: 'Don't do anything stupid.'"

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

The BBC’s social media guidelines state that editorial staff “should never indicate a political allegiance on social networking sites… regardless of whether they indicate that they are employed by the BBC or not”.

Topics in this article : ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network