BBC defends documentary targeted by Trump in $12.8 billion suit

MIAMI, Florida – The British Broadcasting Corp (BBC) has signalled some of its defences against US President Donald Trump’s US$10 billion (S$12.9 billion) defamation lawsuit, telling a judge that the documentary at the centre of the case was fair despite a misleading edit of one segment.

The BBC on Jan 12 asked a federal judge in Miami to pause the exchange of evidence in

the suit, filed in December,

until a ruling is issued on the broadcaster’s motion to dismiss the case, which is due in March. 

The broadcaster also said it will aim to move the case to New York from Florida if the suit is not dismissed because the claims relate to a documentary that BBC “did not create in Florida, produce in Florida, or air in Florida”.

Mr Trump sued over an edit in the documentary before the 2024 presidential election that gave the impression he had made a direct call for violence in a speech before the

Jan 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol

by his supporters.

BBC chairman Samir Shah acknowledged on Nov 10 that the edited footage of Mr Trump’s speech, aired on the Panorama programme in 2024, wrongly gave “the impression of a direct call for violent action”.

Days later, the broadcaster issued a second apology, but rejected Mr Trump’s demand for compensation.

According to the filing on Jan 12, Mr Trump‘s lawsuit fails to meet the high bar necessary for alleging defamation against a public figure.

The standard requires a showing of what’s known as actual malice, meaning the allegedly defamatory statement was made intentionally or with a reckless disregard for the truth.

“The lack of actual malice is underscored by the fact that the brief clip, which shows less than 15 seconds of plaintiff’s speech on Jan 6, is part of an hour-long film containing extensive coverage of his supporters and balanced coverage of his path to reelection,” the BBC’s lawyers wrote. 

Mr Trump’s legal team did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. BLOOMBERG