BBC needs to update its social media guidelines, says Ofcom chief

Melanie Dawes tells MPs BBC should look again at what its guidelines ask of contributors as well as staff

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The BBC needs to update its social media guidelines for the modern world, Ofcom’s chief executive has told MPs after the row over Gary Lineker’s tweets.

Although the corporation’s editorial guidelines are ultimately outside Ofcom’s remit, Dame Melanie Dawes, the regulator’s chief executive, said that the spat cut to the heart of questions about its editorial independence.