During a Saturday afternoon broadcast, BBC News presenter Martine Croxall stunned viewers by disregarding the teleprompter’s wording “pregnant people” and instead asserting “pregnant women,” complete with an emphatic eye-roll. Within hours, the moment went viral, earning praise from none other than “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, who called Croxall her “new favourite BBC presenter” for standing up to “politically correct jargon.”
@Reuters “Martine Croxall corrects ‘pregnant people’ to ‘women’ on air; JK Rowling applauds BBC anchor’s stand.” via X :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
The clip—credited to Reuters and later picked up by The Sun and The Times—shows Croxall reading a report on heat-related deaths, ascribing vulnerability to “the aged, pregnant people, and those with pre-existing conditions.” Croxall paused, smirked, and substituted “pregnant women,” a move that drew swift attention.
@BBCBreaking “BBC anchor Martine Croxall refuses to say ‘pregnant people,’ opts for ‘women’—viewers divided.” via X
Croxall later took to X to thank supporters and confirm the clip’s authenticity, clarifying that “this was not AI-generated”—a nod to recent deepfake concerns. She wrote: “Thank you for all the new follows—yes, it was me, live, unscripted!” @MartineCroxall.
@MartineCroxall “Yes, that was me—and no, it wasn’t AI 🤷♀️ #LiveBroadcast” via X
“I’m delighted,” Rowling commented on her own @jk_rowling feed, “to see a newsreader prioritise clarity and truth over buzzwords.” Rowling has long been a vocal critic of what she terms “linguistic engineering,” especially around gendered language—sparking debates and controversy in Britain and beyond :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
BBC insiders say there is no hard mandate in the corporation’s editorial guidelines preventing the use of “pregnant people,” though the style guide advises respecting individuals’ pronouns. A spokesperson told Politico that “presenters may exercise editorial judgment in real time,” highlighting Croxall’s 32-year tenure and reputation for professionalism.
@Politecho “BBC supports on-air discretion—Croxall’s move was editorial, not rebellious.” via X
Social media erupted under hashtags like #PregnantPeople and #WomenMatter. On X, user @CultureCritic wrote, “Martine Croxall did more for precision than any committee—stop hiding behind euphemisms.” Meanwhile, critics argued the correction alienated non-binary and trans parents, with @TransAdvocate posting, “Language evolves to include everyone—this feels like censorship.”
The subject tapped into wider cultural tensions over gender-neutral language. A recent survey by the YouGov poll found 62% of Britons feel “pregnant women” is clearer, while 38% support “pregnant people” for inclusivity. Editor of The Journal of Linguistic Change, Professor Sarah Mahmood, told NPR that “both terms serve purposes; the key is audience and context.”
@YouGov “Brits split on gendered vs gender-neutral terms in health reporting—context is everything.” via X
The BBC’s Director-General, in an internal memo leaked to The Guardian, urged staff to balance precision with sensitivity: “We must be clear, inclusive, and true to editorial standards.” Observers expect this incident to accelerate revisions to the BBC style guide later this year.
Across the Atlantic, U.S. outlets like CNN and Fox News picked up the story, framing it in their own cultural contexts. Fox, for instance, highlighted Rowling’s endorsement as evidence of a broader pushback against “woke media,” while CNN emphasized the BBC’s approach to editorial flexibility.
@CNNMedia “BBC anchor’s on-air correction sparks global debate on language and inclusion.” via X
For Croxall, the aftermath has been a mix of praise and pointed criticism. In a follow-up social media post, she thanked viewers for respectful discourse and reminded them that “nuance in language matters most when lives and health are at stake.” Her measured tone won further commendation from journalism watchdog Ofcom, which lauded her “commitment to clear communication.”
Meanwhile, Rowling’s supporters have rallied behind Croxall. Online charity group Women’s Rights Network tweeted that “Rowling’s spotlight on Croxall underscores the power of words—let’s keep the conversation focused on women’s health.”
@WomensRightsUK “Thanks JK for highlighting the need for precise language in women’s healthcare.” via X
As broadcasters prepare for the next editorial review, one thing is clear: Martine Croxall’s split-second choice has reignited a global discussion on the intersection of language, identity, and journalism. With J.K. Rowling’s endorsement ensuring massive reach, the BBC—and media worldwide—will be watching closely as they rewrite the rules of on-air verbiage.
