BBC journalists addicted to ‘toxic’ Twitter, says boss

Some BBC journalists have been seduced by the instant gratification of social media, it has been claimed
Some BBC journalists have been seduced by the instant gratification of social media, it has been claimed
ANDY RAIN/EPA

Some BBC journalists have become addicted to Twitter, the corporation’s head of standards has admitted as he warned that staff must be careful about how they use the “toxic” platform.

The broadcaster has commissioned a review of how reporters and programmes use social media amid fears that the desire to “go viral” is undermining its reputation for impartiality and accuracy.

David Jordan, the BBC’s director of editorial policy and standards, disclosed that some staff had already been disciplined for “egregious” violations of social media guidelines.

Corporation journalists had been seduced by the instant gratification of social media, he said, posing risks to the BBC brand as the tone of debate on such platforms sours.

“The way social media has developed in recent times, particularly Twitter,