The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Friday apologised for the description of the newly elected President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Akinwumi Adesina as ‘flamboyant.’
Mr Adesina was re-elected as the President of the bank on Thursday.
Many comments accused the media house of bias against the former agriculture minister.
The organisation was also accused of fueling the already concluded probe of Mr Adesina. He was earlier quizzed this year over allegations of misconduct but the bank found the allegations to be “frivolous” and he was cleared afterwards.
Who signed off on this? This is far from BBC standard.
1. What’s the “flamboyant” doing here?
2. “Banker” is hardly the way to describe his professional life.
3. “President” of AfDB, not “Chairman”
Or are you people now into parody ni? https://t.co/IoHzIWpN8n
— Tolu Ogunlesi, MON (@toluogunlesi) August 27, 2020
The controversial heading is generating clicks and engagement – so makes sense to keep it up. They used an almost exact headline “flamboyant Nigerian banker…” when US wanted a second investigation. So they know exactly what they are doing.
— Tosin Oluwakiyesi Ojo (@tosinflow) August 28, 2020
BBC admits error
However, in a tweet on Friday evening, BBC admitted its error and posted the corrected version of the report.
This was also reflected in the section dedicated to African reports on its website.
We have removed the description of Dr Akinwumi Adesina as "flamboyant". We recognise this – absolutely unintentionally – may have caused offence, and is irrelevant to the story. We have also corrected his title to African Development Bank president.https://t.co/y3EQHN4coY
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) August 28, 2020
“Correction 28 August: We have removed the description of Dr Akinwumi Adesina as “flamboyant” from this post. We recognise this – absolutely unintentionally – may have caused offence, and is irrelevant. We have also corrected Dr Adesina’s title. He is of course president of the African Development Bank, not chairman,” the news organisation wrote.