World News – GB – BBC begins crackdown on ‘moonlight’ presenters and new social media rules

BBC must move forward with plans to crack down on moonlight presenters for private companies and staff use of social media

Tim Davie, the new chief executive, will introduce new rules this week to ensure that the impartiality of BBC presenters cannot be called into question

News readers and correspondents should report outside work for private companies, such as speaking engagements, in a register of financial interests

The costs will be declared publicly, which should deter well-known faces from accepting company work

BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty has been warned by the broadcaster that she risks a potential ‘conflict of interest’ after revealing that she appeared in a promotional video for luxury car maker Aston Martin

Munchetty, who earns £ 200,000, has not sought prior approval of the work from his managers

Newsreader Huw Edwards is said to have earned up to £ 400,000 in speaking fees over five years, though he does not accept work from companies that could represent a conflict of interest

The BBC will also implement stricter guidelines on the use of social media, following a review by Richard Sambrook, the company’s former director of global news

Naga Munchetty receives ‘conflict of interest’ warning from BBC after ‘clearing’ in Aston Martin PR video

BBC journalists must be impartial on controversial issues when using social media Less stringent rules will apply to BBC contributors who do not appear on news programs, allowing to personalities like Gary Lineker to continue to comment on current affairs

M Davie said BBC figures who violate Twitter’s new rules could be taken off social media or fired.He said Lineker was also aware of his responsibilities to the BBC, as the broadcaster’s highest paid presenter

BBC, Tim Davie, media, Naga Munchetty, TV presenter