UK EU Referendum: BBC puts social at the heart of coverage for global audiences

As the United Kingdom looks towards the EU Referendum, the BBC has today unveiled its plans to help global audiences make sense of the vote.

Published: 31 May 2016
This is a historic referendum for the British people, which we know is being watched closely around the world. It’s our responsibility to ensure audiences get the clearest explanation of the issues, with coverage they can trust.
— Richard Porter, Digital and Editorial Director, BBC World News

From documentaries and debates to live streaming on social media, BBC World News and BBC.com/news will provide a multiplatform offer, which means people around the world can keep up with the latest on the campaign wherever they are.

The BBC’s international news service will be mobilising its team of experienced correspondents and presenters, with live broadcasts from across Europe to explain key moments in the campaign and help people understand what the result could mean where they are, while also offering a wealth of content online at bbc.com/eureferendum

Sharing content and analysis via Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter will be at the heart of the coverage, as Outside Source presenter Ros Atkins takes his innovative daily news show on the road. He will be presenting his TV programme from Paris, Manchester and Edinburgh as well as live steaming on the BBC News Facebook page. He will also be covering the BBC’s live, televised EU membership debate at London's SSE Arena, Wembley on Tuesday 21 June. Ros will use social media to bring viewers key points as senior politicians and other key figures explore both sides of the argument, while BBC World News will broadcast the debate live.

On results day Ros will be joined by World News presenter and former BBC political correspondent Philippa Thomas in London’s Westminster as they cover the reaction to the referendum’s outcome in a special day of live broadcasts. Presenters David Eades and Karin Giannone will be bringing the view from Brussels, and Kasia Madera will be in Poland. BBC World News America anchor Katty Kay will be keeping American audiences up to speed, with a special London edition of her show while business correspondents Karishma Vaswani and Michelle Fleury will gauge the reaction of the financial markets and business communities around the world.

Alongside the service’s news reporting BBC World News will also be broadcasting special documentaries. These include an Our World special with Gabriel Gatehouse considering what has become of the European dream and an hour-long film, Truth About EU Migration, presented by Mishal Husain and taking an impartial look at the effects of migration from other European Union countries to the UK.

Unveiling the wealth of content, Richard Porter, Digital and Editorial Director for BBC World News says: “This is a historic referendum for the British people, which we know is being watched closely around the world. It’s our responsibility to ensure audiences get the clearest explanation of the issues, with coverage they can trust.

"Audiences can expect the same quality of coverage whether they come to us on TV, on our website, our app or on social media - and we’ll reflect back what they’re saying to us, as well as what the politicians are saying to them. We’ll draw upon all the knowledge and experience of our expert correspondents to ensure audiences get the whole story.”

Key Content

  • Our World: The European Dream with Gabriel Gatehouse - It’s more than 65 years since Europe set out on a journey that’s led to today’s complex union of 28 states. As the European Union struggles to stay united in the face of 21st century crises, for Our World Gabriel Gatehouse asks what’s happened to the European dream. Tx 3-5 June
  • Truth about EU Migration – Mishal Husain takes an impartial look at the effects of migration from other European Union countries to the UK. From the economy and jobs market, through education, housing, and the NHS, to security and national identity, this documentary explores the true impact of EU immigration on Britain. Tx date tbc
  • EU Referendum: The Great Debate - As the campaign reaches its climax, BBC presenters David Dimbleby (Question Time) will be joined by Mishal Husain (Radio 4 Today) and Emily Maitlis (This Week’s World), live at SSE Arena, Wembley in London for the BBC’s biggest ever campaign event as thousands of voters are invited to question representatives from the 'leave' and 'remain' camps – Tx June 21st.
  • Outside Source Specials / BBC World News live broadcasts

o Paris – 9 & 10 June
o Belgium – 14 June
o Manchester & The Netherlands – 16 June
o Scotland – 20 June

  • Results Day – rolling coverage from Westminster and Brussels with in-depth analysis as the result becomes clear – 24 June

Notes to Editors
About BBC World News and BBC.com, the BBC's commercially funded international 24-hour English news platforms, are owned and operated by BBC Global News Ltd. BBC World News television is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and over 433 million households and 1.8 million hotel rooms. The channel's content is also available on 178 cruise ships, 53 airlines and 23 mobile phone networks. BBC.com offers up-to-the minute international news and in-depth analysis for PCs, tablets and mobile devices to more than 85 million unique browsers each month.

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