Petition · past parliament

Govt politicians not to influence BBC staff/contractors free speech views.

Rejected 9 signatures

What the petition asks

To enact legislation to protect bbc staff/contractors from political bias and allow them to express free speech through external channels as suits.
The treatment of Gary Lineker is a disgrace and has broader connotations. The UK is in danger of losing its ability to tolerate free speech and that is unacceptable in a democratic world.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We can only accept petitions about things the Government or Parliament are directly responsible for.

Decisions about the terms of conditions of BBC staff, including guidance around social media use, are a matter for the BBC, not the UK Government or Parliament.

The BBC is an independent body governed by a Royal Charter. Under the terms of that Charter, the BBC is operationally and editorially independent of government and there is no provision for the Government to intervene in the BBC’s day-to-day operations.

Since you started your petition the BBC has announced that there will be an independent review on social media guidelines.

Timeline

11 Mar 2023 Petition opened for signatures
14 Mar 2023 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 9
Status Rejected
Rejected 14 Mar 2023

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.