Russia Accuses BBC of Committing “Information Crime” Over Trump Capitol Speech Edits

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) of committing an information crime by allegedly distorting statements made by US President Donald Trump regarding the 2021 Capitol riots, during a broadcast on Sputnik radio.

Zakharova claimed that BBC leadership tampered with programs and censored Trump’s speeches, saying the edits “mangled his speech so severely that it gave the impression he was, at the time of the broadcast, almost calling for—or at least approving—the events that unfolded following the election against [Joe] Biden.” She added that the edits made it appear as though Trump endorsed the Capitol events, which she described as manipulative and a serious violation of journalistic integrity.

“These actions constitute a monstrous crime,” Zakharova stressed, calling it a genuine information crime, particularly given the high-stakes nature of the situation and the potential impact on individuals, countries, and nations. She emphasized that such manipulation by a media outlet that claims to be free and independent is especially alarming.