LONDON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Britain's BBC said its top stars such as Gary Lineker could opine on political issues on social media but must stop short of campaigning, in new guidelines prompted by a row over the sports presenter's comments about immigration policy earlier this year.
He was reinstated after a public backlash and near mutiny at the broadcaster, which has struggled to balance impartiality with its employees' ability to speak to millions of people on social media platforms.
Lineker said on X, formerly know as Twitter, that the new guidelines were "very sensible".
The BBC's journalists and others working in news and current affairs will continue to have to abide by the strictest rules on impartiality, the guidance said.
Other BBC staff or freelancers will not be required to uphold the BBC's impartiality, but they must be civil and not bring the broadcaster into disrepute.
Persons:
Gary Lineker, Lineker, John Hardie, Paul Sandle, Alison Williams
Organizations:
BBC, Thomson
Locations:
Germany