Evan Davis took his weekly BBC Radio 4 show PM show to Leeds Trinity University’s Journalism & Media Week with his employer top of the news agenda.
It followed senior resignations linked to accusations of bias within the corporation.
Earlier this week, the BBC’s director general, Tim Davie, and head of news, Deborah Turness, resigned after they faced intense criticism for a Panorama documentary about Donald Trump.
It showed an edited version of his January 6th speech, suggesting he encouraged the storm on the Capitol.
The unprecedented dual resignation comes amid backlash from right-wing media and the release of a damning 19-page dossier highlighting the manipulated footage.
Following his resignation, in a staff call earlier this week, Davie said: “We are a unique and precious organisation […] we have made mistakes that have cost us, but we need to fight.”
He added, “I’m really proud of our work, and the amazing work locally and globally that we’re doing is utterly precious.”
During the broadcast the audience heard from Lisa Nandy MP, the culture, media and sport secretary.
Reacting to the incident and the accusations of bias, she said: “Some [MPs are] suggesting the BBC is institutionally biased.
“There is a fundamental difference between raising serious concerns over editorial failings and members of this house launching a sustained attack on the institution itself.”
Evan highlighted that even though Lisa showed she values the BBC and its reporting, she has often previously been a critic of the institution, notably around their Gaza documentary of February this year.
The shadow secretary, Nigel Huddleston MP, opposingly said the BBC needed “saving from itself,” adding, “[it] requires institutional change and far more than a few moves at the top.”
Before the broadcast, Davis spoke to some of ‘tomorrow’s media professionals’ at Leeds Trinity University to get their opinion.
Most of the journalism students agreed; recent events have drastically changed their views on the broadcaster.
Barney Nightingale, a Masters student at the university, said, “I would see it as a trusted source,” but added that the Panorama edit has been “really damaging to the reputation.
“In the past I would have said it was unbiased, but then in recent events I would probably have to change my mind.”
Although the current students have changed their outlook on the BBC following the backlash, Leeds Trinity University alumnus Katie Haseldine, who also works for the Radio 4 show, described the positive experience she has had working for the company and how beneficial it is for aspiring journalists.