What's happened
The BBC suspended Gary Lineker for criticizing the British government's asylum policy on Twitter.
Why it matters
The suspension of Gary Lineker by the BBC has generated controversy and support, highlighting the tension between freedom of expression and impartiality in media organizations.
What the papers say
The Independent describes the BBC's suspension of Lineker as an own-goal and highlights the support he received from the soccer world and beyond. The Guardian suggests Lineker should delete his tweet and refrain from tweeting about controversial issues to protect the future of the BBC. BBC News emphasizes the importance of trust and impartiality for the public service broadcaster and the difficulty Lineker's tweets pose in achieving due impartiality. The Independent also mentions Lineker's previous instances of criticism and rebuke at the BBC.
How we got here
Gary Lineker, a former soccer star turned TV personality, was suspended by the BBC for criticizing the British government's asylum policy on Twitter.
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The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Headquartered at Broadcasting House in Westminster, London, it is the world's oldest national broadcaster, and the largest broadcaster in the world by number of employees.