[matthieu1221]

One might argue that times are changing and that the BBC's independence doesn't seem as high on this government's agenda as under previous governments.

It might not be outright control of output, but the government is effectively pushing for self-censorship which in effect is the same thing. And not even on content, but on employees' (who have nothing to do with news coverage!) personal political opinions.

EDIT: today's Attenborough story is in effect self-censorship on content

The Attenborough story that is in actual fact fake news?
Actually it is rather worrying that a supposedly impartial organisation such as the BBC would consider content made by a campaigning organisation such as the WWF to be an appropriate acquisition even if only for iPlayer.

That part is still unclear. The Guardian seems adamant that it was meant to be broadcast on linear television.

Your second point is separate. Pulling a show to avoid criticism is arguably self-censorship. Whether or not a show should be broadcast or not, in this case not, should not come down to external pressure. Either way, there needs to be some sort of official statement explaining the entire process behind why the show was acquired, the original plans for broadcast, and reasons why the show was pulled.