The BBC has laid out new rules for social media use by presenters of flagship programmes months after its row with presenter Gary Lineker.
Those presenting the corporation's main shows will have "a particular responsibility to respect the BBC's impartiality, because of their profile on the BBC". Stars fronting other programmes such as The Apprentice, Strictly Come Dancing, Masterchef and Top Gear must also abide by the regulations.
The BBC named Dragonsâ Denâs Evan Davis, The One Showâs Alex Jones, MasterChef hosts John Torode and Gregg Wallace, and Match Of The Dayâs Mark Chapman and Lineker among those who fall under the rules.
Similarly, Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, The Apprenticeâs Lord Alan Sugar and Antiques Roadshowâs Fiona Bruce will also have to adhere to the new rules.
Presenters on the selected shows must not endorse or attack any political party, âcriticise the characterâ of any politicians or comment on issues that are âa matter of political debateâ during an election. They are otherwise free to be more open about their views in public - but that is subject to expectations around âcivilised public debateâ.
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It comes after a review into BBC social media guidelines. Published by former ITN boss John Hardie, he said: "The previous guidance said to not take sides on issues which are party political or political controversies. And this new approach says, you can do that, so long as you stay to the facts of the issue itself. So that is actually a significant change.
"In the future, it's easier for the BBC to be able to say if they're challenged by somebody who has made a social media post, to say [either], that clearly is dealing with the issue and the facts, or it's clear that they're making an attack on an individual. And I think that separation will make this more practical for the BBC in the future."