Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the BBC has “embarrassed” the organisation as it means it is being “questioned by millions of viewers around the world”, a media expert has told GB News.
The public broadcaster has confirmed it will defend itself against a $10billion lawsuit filed by the US President over its controversial editing of a Panorama documentary.
His January 6 2021 speech was found to have been spliced to appear as if he encouraged his followers to storm the Capitol, cutting out parts where Mr Trump emphasised “peace”.
Now, Mr Trump’s anger with the broadcaster has come to a head with his lawyers handing over the papers to meet the corporation in court.
But Jonathan Shalit, who is the British talent manager and chairman of the InterTalent Rights Group, told GB News’ Martin Daubney that the case will not reach court.
“The process is the punishment,” he told the People’s Channel.
“As all commentators know, this will never get to court because no defendant – in this case, the BBC – is going to let it go to court.
“Let’s say, for example, he settles for $10million. That’s a big win for him because it’s a statement.
The media expert argued the BBC had ‘taken on the wrong person’
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“Donald Trump has the BBC settle with him and the BBC pay $50, $60million minimum of legal fees, because the amount of defence in a Florida court for the BBC will literally be the most expensive lawsuit they’ve ever fought.
“The insurers of the BBC will also tell them to settle because the BBC will be insured for these kind of actions.
“It’s very embarrassing for the BBC on a global basis, because the BBC remains the greatest broadcasting corporation in the world.
“In spite, it’s still the most trusted news organisation in the world. However, being questioned like this for hundreds of millions of viewers around the world, it’s not good for anyone.”
Donald Trump has filed a $10billion lawsuit against the corporation
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Mr Shalit further said that, objectively, the narrative against Mr Trump has been “continually negative”, and this much is obvious as a journalist or a viewer at home.
He continued: “I’m not expressing an opinion on it that is right or wrong, but the truth is it has [been negative].
“You only have to listen to ongoing news broadcasts, current affairs broadcasts, and Donald Trump has got the power to say, ‘enough is enough’.”
“Rightly or wrongly, Panorama and Newsnight and other programmes have edited against Donald Trump. And it might be the way people do things, but sometimes you have to pick your adversary.
“It’s a bit like the jungle of baby animals. You take on a lion, even if the baby animal is right. And unfortunately, the editor, the director of that TV show at the BBC, has taken on the wrong person.”
The lawsuit, which was filed in Florida, covers one count of defamation and one count of violating a Florida trade practices law.
The corporation “intentionally and maliciously sought to fully mislead its viewers” by “splicing together” the edited footage, the lawsuit has alleged.
A BBC spokesman said: “As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case.
“We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”