Impartiality policy | BBC faces backlash after banning staff from Pride protests

The BBC has been criticised for telling some of its staff they should avoid Pride events that might be considered a protest, in order to maintain ‘impartiality’ as part of their reputation and values.

The guidance, which was originally posted in 2020 and reissued this year, advised news and factual staff against attending Pride events that might be considered a protest.

“Staff in news and factual journalism need to consider whether or not the particular Pride parade or march they would like to attend presents, or is likely to present, an overt protest or campaigning stance,” the guidance stated.

The guidance also states that "news and factual journalism" staff should not participate in demonstrations about “controversial issues,” while workers outside of news, current affairs and factual journalism could attend protests as “private individuals”.