What is the BBC’s social media policy and what does it mean for stars like Lineker?

theguardian.com:

Gary Lineker’s post on Twitter criticising the government’s proposed asylum legislation has triggered a debate over the BBC’s impartiality rules – what they say and to whom they should apply.

The BBC sets out its position on impartiality in section 4 of its editorial guidelines. The guidelines state that the corporation is “committed to achieving due impartiality in all its output. This commitment is fundamental to our reputation, our values and the trust of audiences.”

They go on to state that the impartiality must be “adequate and appropriate to the output, taking account of the subject and nature of the content, the likely audience expectation and any signposting that may influence that expectation.”

They add that BBC output must always “scrutinise arguments, question consensus and hold power to account” with consistency and due impartiality.

The BBC also offers guidance on “individual use of social media”. The guidelines state: “Social media provide an important tool for BBC output and are used widely by people who work for the BBC in their personal lives.”

The BBC says the guidance is not intended to prevent the use of social media but to ensure that anyone working for the BBC uses it with “appropriate regard for the BBC’s values”.

The key principle in the guidance is that “anyone working for the BBC is a representative of the organisation, both offline and also when online, including on social media; the same standards apply to the behaviour and conduct of staff in both circumstances.”

It adds: “Those working for the BBC have an obligation to ensure that the BBC’s editorial decisions are not perceived to be influenced by any personal interest or bias.”

Lineker has been suspended from his presenting duties on the BBC after