Will BBC’s social media review rein in stars like Lineker?

Current guidelines state high-profile BBC stars need to ‘avoid taking sides on party political issues or political controversies’. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/Reuters

The BBC’s announcement of an independent review of its social media guidelines was aimed at defusing the crisis over Gary Lineker’s tweets over government ministers’ language about its asylum policies and bring the presenter back into the fold, at least in the short term.

However, the practicalities of creating a set of rules to rein in star behaviour, while avoiding accusations of stifling free speech, are far from straightforward. Here are some key points for consideration.