The BBC, like the Guardian, is its own echo chamber. Diversity training from Stonewall, LGBT staff groups, all with the emphasis on the T.
I think the Times/Spectator were effectively peak trans'd last year when editors saw the flaming reaction to carefully written articles by senior journalists. The Mail, obviously, was never PC and so had less of a journey to make.
The Guardian has a problem. They rely on donations, often from the US, not readership. Even a mild editorial last year suggesting there were potential conflicts received a massive push back from their US based staff. Without a proper reality check it will simply continue on its journey to irrelevance. Other papers will widen their editorial policies to chase former Guardian readers.
The BBC though is different. Having a national and impartial broadcaster is important. Editorial decision making seems to happen in some sort of woke bubble, with the priority aim seem to be chasing yoof with ADD, plus an occasional costume drama for oversea sales. Strictly and Masterchef, like Bake Off can be made by anyone. The BBC has a remit to educate. They should be challenging listeners. Not allowing a debate between Rachel and Nik, suggests that their listeners are not capable of, or should not be allowed to, make up their own minds. Which means that the sort of intelligent listeners, and this includes young people wanting to be stretched as well as old, who would be the first to argue the case to retain a licence fee, will not longer find the BBCs offerings attractive.
(A different debate here, but when chasing yoof I am not sure if broadcasters and advertisers realise how many young people are both tolerant, but also socially quite conservative. Things like the number who are teetotal, or the diminishing interest in the NUS. A specific example, but I suspect more young people get RoseofDawn than Lily Madigan. I tested the Martina article out on my DC and yes, it is an issue they find difficult, as balancing fairness and tolerance are difficult. There is sympathy for both Semenyer and for peers who believe they are "in the wrong body" but no desire to see women losing opportunities in sports and education because they are unable, physically, to compete. In short the sort of issue that the BBC should be covering in a balanced way to allow listeners to inform themselves. )