Journalists and broadcasters have come out in force in support of Naga Munchetty after the BBC said she breached guidelines by criticising Donald Trump.
The BBC Breakfast host condemned comments made by the president about political rivals, after he told female Democrats to "go back" to their own counties.
The presenter earned plaudits for her decision to speak about her struggles and share her experiences of being told herself to "go back to your own country".
Speaking on BBC Breakfast on July 17, in the aftermath of Mr Trump's online remarks, she said: "Every time I have been told, as a woman of colour, to go back to where I came from, that was embedded in racism.
"Now, I'm not accusing anyone of anything here, but you know what certain phrases mean."
Mr Trump had shared posted several messages on Twitter in which he made references to politicians Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley.
They are US citizens and three were born in America.
A spokeswoman for the BBC said: "The ECU ruled that while Ms Munchetty was entitled to give a personal response to the phrase 'go back to your own country' as it was rooted in her own experience, overall her comments went beyond what the guidelines allow for."
Following the decision journalists and broadcasters took to social media to vent their anger at the BBC's decision.
#nagamunchetty story perplexing. @BBCNaga always stands up for #BBC values, which include telling the truth and celebrating diversity. What’s more ‘we speak out when something is not right’. So how did her comments ‘go beyond’? Detail please. https://t.co/1K6Ny8TWEy
— Carrie Gracie (@BBCCarrie) September 25, 2019
Right now, there is a lot of bewilderment among BAME staff:#NagaMunchetty 'breached BBC rules' with Trump comments https://t.co/o5tcppTsEG
— Sangita Myska (@BBCSangita) September 25, 2019
You have a lot of support @BBCNaga from your colleagues and your ‘rivals’ - ‘go back home’ said to a brown skinned person literally means ‘get out of my white country’ which is literally racist.
— ranvir singh (@ranvir01) September 26, 2019
The BBC ruling re @BBCNaga is a total joke but a deeply unfunny one. https://t.co/nACY7ZCt86
— Sarfraz Manzoor (@sarfrazmanzoor) September 25, 2019
So why is Naga Munchetty in breach of guidelines for criticising President Donald Trump for perceived racism?https://t.co/sEx7lh3eBy
— Anisa Subedar (@TheAnisaSubedar) September 25, 2019
BBC Editorial Complaints Unit has found @BBCNaga breached BBC guidelines in talking about racism & Trump. The decision is wrong & cud have serious impact on audience trust in @BBCNews. New blog on what they got wrong & what the BBC shud do next "https://t.co/uSQvgrWfhc pic.twitter.com/4j1BnMbQg5
— Marcus Ryder (@marcusryder) September 26, 2019
If you're going to criticise the BBC, I might gently suggest this is where you take aim.
— Theo Usherwood (@theousherwood) September 25, 2019
If journalists can't walk outside and tell you if it's raining, then there is little point in having journalists.https://t.co/uhonHgkxmC
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here