Complaint
A listener compained about the reporting of comments made by Robin Simcox, the Government’s counter-extremism commissioner, which they considered biased and inaccurate. The ECU considered whether the programme had met the relevant standards set out in the ±«Óătv Editorial Guidelines.
Outcome
The complainant argued the connection the comments made between the pro-Palestinian marches and antisemitism was “outrageous and served to distort reality”.  The ECU, while acknowledging the strength of feeling on this issue, did not agree that reporting the fact these remarks had been made would mislead audiences, or constitute bias.  There were clear editorial reasons for reporting the comments of the person the Government had appointed to counter extremism, and due impartiality does not require that every viewpoint on a controversial matter is challenged on every occasion, least of all where it is clear to listeners that they are hearing the perspective of a political appointment with a commitment to Government policy.
Not Upheld