US President Donald Trump has threatened BBC with a lawsuit, accusing it of showing false reports. Trump’s lawyers have sent a letter to BBC. It has warned that if the organization does not apologize and remove the false report, they will file a lawsuit for 1 billion dollars (about Rs 8,854 crore).

The BBC said, we are studying the letter from Trump’s legal team and will respond soon. The White House is preparing to blacklist BBC reporters. So that they could not cover the press briefing.

What is the matter?

Actually, BBC Documentary named Panorama Trump’s speech of January 6, 2021 was shown. On the same day, Trump supporters attacked the US Parliament (US Capitol). The BBC combined two parts of that speech, making it appear as if Trump was inciting people to march towards the Capitol and fight. But that part was removed from the video in which Trump had said that the demonstration should be peaceful.

BBC admitted its mistake

After the matter came to light, BBC admitted that it was a wrong decision. However, he said that this was not done intentionally. As the controversy escalated, BBC Director General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Ternes both resigned.

White House preparations for action

Difficulties are increasing for BBC. A White House official said that blacklisting the BBC is being considered. This could mean that the BBC will no longer be allowed to cover White House press conferences, presidential speeches and Air Force One (the President’s plane). White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt has called BBC a leftist propaganda machine.

Will Trump be able to recover defamation money?

Legal experts say that press freedom is very strong in America, hence it is not easy to win defamation cases. This means that even if the media makes a mistake, it can be punished only if it is proved that the mistake was made intentionally or maliciously.

If the BBC can only prove an editing mistake, then Trump’s case may be weakened. But if Trump can prove that BBC deliberately changed the report, then he can get compensation.

It is not easy to decide the amount of compensation

Even though Trump has demanded $1 billion (about ₹8,854 crore), the court usually awards such a huge amount only when the accused organization has caused deliberate and repeated losses. If the BBC apologizes or the mistake is proven to have been unintentional, the case may end.

Trump has already filed defamation cases against many media organizations like CNN, New York Times and Washington Post. But till now he has not received any major compensation. Often courts give decisions in favor of media freedom in such cases.