Complaint
A listener complained that the programme failed to reflect the impact on climate change of a post-pandemic return to office-based working. In his view, this rendered the programme biased and misleading in relation to a highly important issue. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the ±«Óãtv’s editorial standards of impartiality and accuracy.
Outcome
While acknowledging that increased commuter traffic might have some impact on climate change, the ECU noted the presenter made clear at the outset that the programme would focus on what the future might hold for the half of the working population who were forced to work from home during the pandemic. The ±«Óãtv’s Editorial Guidelines refer to the concepts of due accuracy and due impartiality where the term “d³Ü±ð†means “adequate and appropriate to the output, taking account of the subject and nature of the content, the likely audience expectation and any signposting that may influence that expectationâ€. In view of the prospectus offered by the presenter and its likely effect on audience expectations, the ECU saw no requirement to refer to climate change in order to meet the ±«Óãtv’s standards of accuracy and impartiality.
Not upheld