This page includes apologies, significant corrections, statements and responses, and findings from the ±«Óătv Trust. It does not include routine corrections to news stories, minor on-air apologies and schedule changes.
Corrections and clarifications are published in the order that they were issued.
Newsnight
±«Óătv Two, Friday 14 December 2012
on the edition of Newsnight broadcast on 2 November 2012.
14/12/2012
Sports Personality of the Year
±«Óătv Sport, 16 December 2012
We received complaints from viewers who reported difficulties registering their telephone vote.
18/12/2012
Newsnight (±«Óătv Two), News at 6 & News at Ten (±«Óătv One), PM (Radio 4); Newsnight (±«Óătv Two); "Leaked document suggests âsystematic fraudâ at A4e", bbc.co.uk
22 and 23 March 2020
Newsnight investigated claims that A4e (a company contracted by the DWP to place people in employment) had failed to provide the DWP with material relating to an internal report which had identified numerous instances of potentially fraudulent or irregular conduct by employees of the company. An item was broadcast in the 22 March 2012 edition of Newsnight, and the story was also covered that day on bbc.co.uk, in PM and in both evening news bulletins on ±«Óătv1.
The 23 March edition of Newsnight included a short follow-up item. A4e complained that it had not been given sufficient time to respond or adequate information about the allegations to be aired, and argued that the coverage had been unfair and misleading in various respects. Some aspects of the complaint were upheld in relation to PM, bbc.co.uk and the 23 March edition of Newsnight.
14/12/2012
6.00pm News
Radio 4, 15 May 2012
An item on Palestinian demonstrations marking Nakba Day referred to âthousands of Palestinians leaving their homesâ following the declaration of the State of Israel. Two listeners complained that this gave a misleading impression of the scale of Palestinian displacement and the extent to which it was the result of coercion. The complaint was partly upheld.
13/12/2012
±«Óătv Sport Olympic country profile pages
bbc.co.uk
When first posted, the Palestine page identified East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, while the Israel page did not identify the capital at all. Before the matter came to the ECUâs attention, the pages had been changed to make clear that Ramallah was the Palestinian seat of government, and that, while Jerusalem was the Israeli seat of government, most embassies were in Tel Aviv. The ECU decided that these changes were enough to resolve the matter.
13/12/2012
Points West
±«Óătv One (West), 13 February 2012
In a report of an incident in which a train driver had been forced to stop the train by youths shining a laser pen in his eyes, the reporter referred to âpotentially catastrophicâ consequences. A viewer complained that this was misleading and alarmist. The complaint was upheld.
12/12/2012
±«Óătv News, Coverage of the Duchess of Cambridgeâs pregnancy
We received complaints from viewers and listeners who felt there was too much coverage of the Duchess of Cambridgeâs pregnancy.
11/12/2012
The One Show
19 July 2012
Two viewers complained about Daley Thompsonâs suggestion that a tattoo in which the word âOlympicâ was misspelled must have been the work of âan Irish Tattooistâ. The complaint was resolved.
11/12/2012
Editorial Standards Committee
19 September 2012
Summary of findings: Bang Goes the Theory, ±«Óătv One (broadcast 3 October 2011)
11/12/2012
Newsnight
±«Óătv Two, date withheld
An item in the programme included illustrative footage originally used in report on a similar topic in 2005. The complainant, who had been a minor at the time, featured identifiably in circumstances s/he had found traumatic. S/he complained that proper consent to film and use the material had not been obtained in the first place, and that its re-use was upsetting and infringed his/her privacy. The complaint was upheld with regard to reuse of the material.
10/12/2012
The Kitchen Café
Radio Scotland, 16 May 2012
A listener complained that an item on salmon-farming in Scotland was inaccurate, and provided an uncritical platform for the views of the Scottish Salmon Producersâ Organisation. The complaint was upheld.
3/12/2012
The Food Inspectors
±«Óătv One, 25 March 2012
A viewer complained that the programme gave the misleading impression that all cattle infected with TB should be excluded from the human food chain as potentially injurious to health. The complaint was upheld.
3/12/2012
Editorial Standards Committee
Panorama: A Walk in the Park, ±«Óătv One (broadcast 18 January 2010)
28/11/2012
Editorial Standards Committee appeal findings
October 2012
Summary of findings: ±«Óătv News at Ten, ±«Óătv One (broadcast 6 February 2012); ±«Óătv News at Ten, ±«Óătv One (broadcast 6 February 2012); Room 101 â Extra Storage, ±«Óătv One (broadcast 11 March 2012); Tweet from a ±«Óătv news presenter; News Bulletins, ±«Óătv Radio 4 (broadcast 29 May 2012); Formula 1 â The Monaco Grand Prix, ±«Óătv One (broadcast 27 May 2012) and Formula 1 website; Football Focus
28/11/2012
Apology in response to Steve Messham's statement
On 2 November, Newsnight broadcast a report that looked into criticism of the North Wales Abuse Tribunal. The report included an interview with Steve Messham, an abuse victim who said that a senior political figure of the time had abused him. We broadcast Mr Messham's claim but did not identify the individual concerned. Mr Messham has tonight made a statement that makes clear he wrongly identified his abuser and has apologised. We also apologise unreservedly for having broadcast this report.
9/11/2012
Strictly Come Dancing: the Results
±«Óătv One, 4 November 2012
We received complaints from some viewers who felt the audience were too loud during Andrea Bocelli's performance on Strictly Come Dancing: the Results, broadcast on 4th November.
06/11/2012
Danny Baker
±«Óătv London 94.9
We received complaints from listeners unhappy that Danny Baker will be leaving his afternoon show on ±«Óătv London 94.9.
06/11/2012
Complaints and Appeals Board
September 2012
30/10/2012
Editorial Standards Committee appeal findings
September 2012
Summary of findings: The World Today, ±«Óătv World Service (broadcast 11 December 2011); Excess Baggage, ±«Óătv Radio 4 (broadcast 18 February 2012); Free Speech, ±«Óătv Three (broadcast 7 March 2012);âSo You Think You Can Danceâ, ±«Óătv Online; The Big Questions, ±«Óătv One (broadcast 4 March 2012); âDavid Cameron attack on Welsh NHSâ, ±«Óătv Online and Twitter; âLondonâs public land sell off sparks concernâ, ±«Óătv London News and ±«Óătv Online (7 March 2012)
30/10/2012
Mike Harding
Radio 2
We received complaints from people who are disappointed that Mike Harding is leaving the ±«Óătv Radio 2 folk music show
22/10/2012
A statement on Newsnight and Jimmy Savile
A statement on a correction to a by Peter Rippon on Newsnight and Jimmy Savile
22/10/2012
EastEnders
±«Óătv One
We received complaints from some viewers about some aspects of a social worker's role in the current storyline.
09/10/2012
Blog post about Newsnight and Jimmy Savile
by Peter Rippon, editor Newsnight, on why he took the decision not to run a story into allegations of sex abuse by the former ±«Óătv presenter Jimmy Savile
02/10/2012
Editorial Standards Committee appeal findings
July and September 2012
Summary of findings: Panorama: Whatâs Fuelling Your Energy Bill? ±«Óătv One (broadcast 7 November 2011) and Top Gear, ±«Óătv One (broadcast 5 February 2012)
01/10/2012
Good Cop scheduling
±«Óătv One, 20 September 2012 (scheduled)
We received complaints from some viewers who were unhappy that the final episode of Good Cop wasn't broadcast on Thursday 20 September.
21/09/2012
WATO
±«Óătv Radio 4, 28 August 2012
We received complaints from some listeners who felt Martha Kearney incorrectly implied Israeli soldiers were killed on the same day as Palestinian activist Rachel Corrie.
10/09/2012
Great British Bake Off (Product Placement)
±«Óătv Two
The Radio Times received a letter from a viewer who questioned whether the ±«Óătv was allowing âproduct promotionâ on Great British Bake Off owing to the amount of times they had viewed SMEG products during the show. In response to the letter the ±«Óătv made clear that as per the Ofcom code and ±«Óătv Editorial Guidelines there is absolutely no product placement in the series.
However the ±«Óătv also confirmed that it had discovered some issues with the details of the SMEG loan agreement that had been set up by the production company Love and that these are being resolved.
04/09/2012
Newsnight
±«Óătv Two, 23 May 2012
Shanene Thorpe was interviewed for a programme item. She complained that the item had given an unfair, inaccurate and misleading impression of her and asked for a broadcast correction and apology. The complaint was upheld.
31/08/2012
Editorial Standards Committee appeal findings
July 2012
Summary of findings: Timewatch: The Most Courageous Raid of WW2, ±«Óătv Two (broadcast 1 Nov 2011); Payments to MP for appearance on This Week; "Police asked to probe Commonwealth Games land deals", ±«Óătv News Online; That's Britain, ±«Óătv One (broadcast 30 November 2011) and Today, ±«Óătv Radio 4 (broadcast 1 October 2011)
30/08/2012
Citizen Khan
±«Óătv One, 27 August 2012
We received complaints from some viewers who were unhappy about Citizen Khan's portrayal of the Muslim community.
29/08/2012
Blog post about the ±«Óătv's use of RIPA
A by Sian Healey, Head of Communications and Policy for TV Licensing, on how the ±«Óătv uses the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).
23/08/2012
Olympics 2012, Interview with the Jamaican Men's 200m Final winners
9 August 2012
We received complaints from viewers who were unhappy that an interview with the Jamaican Menâs 200m winners was conducted during the Kenyan national anthem.
16/08/2012
Olympics 2012, Mishal Husain's interview with David Cameron
12 August 2012
We received complaints from viewers who were unhappy with Mishal Husain's interview with Prime Minister David Cameron.
15/08/2012
±«Óătv News at Ten
2 August 2012
We received complaints from viewers unhappy that a correspondent spoke over the national anthem during a report on Team GBâs win in the menâs sprint cycling event.
10/08/2012
Newsnight
±«Óătv Two, 26 January 2012
03/08/2012
Newsnight
±«Óătv Two, 26 January 2012
A viewer complained that a report was unfair to CareConfidential, a company which provides independent advice on abortion, by giving the misleading impression it had an anti-abortion agenda. The complaint was upheld.
03/08/2012
London 2012, Gary Lineker's comments during Olympics 2012
29 July 2012
We received complaints from viewers who were unhappy with Gary Linekerâs comments on the 29 July 2012.
03/08/2012
±«Óătv News Saturday late bulletin
28 July 2012
We received complaints from viewers who felt that David Bond's report on the men's 250km cycling road race was of poor quality and/ or biased against Team GB
01/08/2012
Grand National
±«Óătv One, 14 April 2012
A viewer complained that archive material in a tribute to the late Ginger McCain (the trainer of Red Rum) included an offensive and homophobic phrase. The selected clip used was deemed not to be an appropriate illustration in this context. The programme-makers have been reminded of their duty to exercise caution when considering the use of material that could cause offence to some viewers.
31/07/2012
The Magicians
±«Óătv One, 28 January 2012
A viewer complained that a trick involving tree frogs was adverse to the welfare of the frogs, and possibly dangerous to humans. The RSPCA and the Zoological society of London concurred that the trick involved handling them in an inappropriate and potentially harmful way, and that there was also a health risk to humans. The production team were reminded of the need to avoid putting animals in situations that were potentially harmful to them or to those handling them.
31/07/2012
Editorial Standards Committee Appeal findings
June 2012
Summary of findings: 'The Rise and Lies of Tommy Sheridan' (broadcast 23 December 2010) and Reporting Scotland (broadcast 26 January 2011); ±«Óătv News at Six and ±«Óătv News at Ten (broadcast 9 December 2011); Newsnight, ±«Óătv Two (broadcast 13 September 2011)
31/07/2012
London 2012, Commentary during the Opening Ceremony
We received complaints from viewers who were unhappy with the commentary during the London 2012 Opening Ceremony
28/07/2012
±«Óătv News broadcasts from the Olympic Park
23 and 24 July 2012
We received complaints from viewers about technical problems with news broadcasts from the Olympic Park news studio.
26/07/2012
More on the ±«Óătv and service companies
Following recent press speculation, Chief Financial Officer Zarin Patel the ±«Óătv's position in relation to the use of Personal Service Companies and tax affairs in general in an all staff email sent on July 23rd
24/07/2012
Sportsweek
±«Óătv Radio 5 live, 22 July 2012
We received complaints from listeners who were unhappy with Garry Richardsonâs interview with Jeremy Hunt during Sportsweek on Sunday 22 July 2012.
23/07/2012
The One Show, comment made regarding a tattoo
±«Óătv One, 19 July 2012
We received complaints from some viewers unhappy with a comment made by Daley Thompson during The One Show on Thursday 19 July 2012
20/07/2012
Country profiles on the ±«Óătv Sport Olympics website
We received complaints about the ±«Óătv Sport website from people who felt that the country profiles on the Olympics page for the Israeli and Palestinian teams were inaccurate.
20/07/2012
The Chris Moyles Show, Chris Moyles to leave as presenter of ±«Óătv Radio 1âs Breakfast Show
We received complaints from listeners who are disappointed that Chris Moyles is to leave as presenter of the ±«Óătv Radio 1 Breakfast Show.
17/07/2012
±«Óătv Two, disruption to schedule due to Wimbledon coverage
7 July 2012
We received complaints from some viewers who were unhappy with the disruption to the ±«Óătv Two schedule to accommodate coverage of Wimbledon on 7 July 2012.
09/07/2012
Complaints and Appeals Board findings
May 2012
Summary of appeal findings: Complaint handling
03/07/2012
Editorial Standards Committee Appeal findings
May 2012
Summary of findings: âHomophobic bullying 'prevalent' in NI schools â reportâ, ±«Óătv Online and Weekend Wogan, ±«Óătv Radio 2 (broadcast 22 January 2012)
03/07/2012
±«Óătv Wimbledon coverage
We've received complaints from some viewers unhappy with the disruption to the schedule and the amount of coverage devoted to Wimbledon 2012.
02/07/2012
What the ±«Óătv spends on television content - a response to Ofcom report, published 28 June
John Tate, Group Director, Strategic Operations, writes a in response to Ofcom's report: Public Service Broadcasting Annual Report 2012
28/06/2012
EastEnders, Michael and Jean storyline
±«Óătv One
We received complaints from some viewers unhappy with certain aspects of the EastEnders storyline involving Michael Moon and Jean Slater.
27/06/2012
User generated content and 'Arab Spring' coverage
Steve Herrmann, Editor ±«Óătv News website, about the use of user-generated content (UGC)
26/06/2012
Reporting Scotland, ±«Óătv One Scotland; Newsnight Scotland
±«Óătv Two Scotland, 1 July 2010
A complaint by South Lanarkshire Council about related items in four ±«Óătv Scotland programmes has been partly upheld
18/06/2012
±«Óătv's Diamond Jubilee coverage
We received complaints from some viewers about aspects of the ±«Óătvâs Diamond Jubilee coverage.
07/06/2012
Thought For the Day
Radio 4, 18 January 2012
Three listeners complained that the speaker had advocated Scottish independence, contrary to the ±«Óătvâs requirement of due impartiality on such matters. Although the speaker had not intended to be understood in that sense, he expressed himself in terms which created the impression that he favoured one side of a controversial question. The complaint was upheld.
06/06/2012
Mark Thompson's letter to The Sunday Times
Sunday 3 June 2012
±«Óătv Director-General Mark Thompson has published in The Sunday Times that states the ±«Óătv's position on the Newscorp/BskyB takeover bid.
03/06/2012
Newsnight
±«Óătv Two, 23 May 2012
We have received complaints from viewers who felt the programme's interview surrounding welfare provision with Ms Shanene Thorpe, did not portray the full extent of Ms Thorpe's personal circumstances. We have also received a complaint from Ms Thorpe directly, to which the editor of Newsnight has responded to, in accordance with the ±«Óătv's complaints process.
1/06/2012
Midlands Today
±«Óătv One (West Midlands), 11 April 2012
In an item in the lunchtime edition arising from a poster campaign by an animal rights group which linked eating meat with early death, the reporter said âNutritionists say that a vegan and vegetarian diet is a healthy choice but it does lack essential nutrients only found in meatâ. The complaint by four viewers that this was untrue, in that there are in fact no essential nutrients which are found only in meat, was resolved.
1/06/2012
Bang Goes the Theory
±«Óătv One, 3 October 2011
In the wake of the release of radiation at Fukushima, the programme included an item which aimed to put the number of deaths caused by exposure to radiation from nuclear accidents into perspective. Two viewers complained that the item seriously understated the likely death toll (in relation to both Chernobyl and Fukushima) and, by ignoring scientific opinion which favoured higher estimates, failed to treat the controversial subject of nuclear power generation with due impartiality. The complaint was upheld in relation to the figure for Chernobyl, which should not have been presented as definitive, but not in relation of Fukushima or impartiality
31/05/2012
Statement regarding Panorama: Euro 2012: Stadiums of Hate
28 May 2012
A regarding Panorama - Euro 2012: Stadiums of Hate has been issued by the ±«Óătv.
30/05/2012
Editorial Standards Committee appeal findings
April 2012
Summary of Findings: 9am News, ±«Óătv Radio 4 (broadcast 21 May 2011); âObama insists 1967 "basisâ for Israel-Palestinian peaceâ, ±«Óătv News Online (posted 19 May 2011); News at Ten, ±«Óătv One (broadcast 12 August 2011); Stage 2 complaint handling and Application of expedited complaints procedure at Stage 3
29/05/2012
Blog post about Houla massacre picture mistake
A by Chris Hamilton, social media editor for ±«Óătv News, apologising for incorrect photograph used to illustrate Houla massacre
29/05/2012
Statement regarding the TV adaptation of Room At The Top
The ±«Óătv can confirm it plans to broadcast Room At The Top on ±«Óătv Four in the near future. Scheduling details will be announced soon.
25/05/2012
Privacy and cookies
by Ian Hunter, Managing Editor ±«Óătv Online, on changes on ±«Óătv Online to make it easier to manage the cookies we use.
24/05/2012
Blue Peter
On the day that the ±«Óătv Trust published its conclusions to the Delivering Quality First process, some media speculated that it signalled the cancellation of Blue Peter. ±«Óătv's Head of Press tweeted: 'For absolute clarity the ±«Óătv is not ditching Blue Peter. âȘ#bluepeter'
16/05/2012
±«Óătv's response to complaint Silent Witness scheduling
Broadcast 6 and 7 May 2012
Complaints from viewers that the episodes broadcast on Sunday 6 and Monday 7 May were repeats rather than new episodes.
07/05/2012
Editorial Standards Committee Findings
March 2012
Summary of findings: Torchwood â Miracle Day, ±«Óătv One (broadcast 25 August 2011); Strictly Come Dancing, ±«Óătv One (broadcast 29 October 2011); ±«Óătv News at One and ±«Óătv News at Six, ±«Óătv One (broadcast 30 June 2010)
24/04/2012
Reconsideration of Party Election Broadcast allocation
Appeal by Siobhan Benita, Independent Candidate for Mayor of London, not upheld.
24/04/2012
Party Election Broadcast allocation
Appeal by Siobhan Benita, Independent Candidate for Mayor of London, not upheld
23/04/2012
London Mayoral TV Debate
Appeal by Siobhan Benita, Independent Candidate for Mayor of London, not upheld
22/04/2012
So You Think You Can Dance
±«Óătv One and related website, 11 June 2011
A viewer's complaint that the programme gave a misleading impression that the contestant who came third among the four finalists in the audience vote had in fact come fourth (which was stated in terms on the programmeâs website) was resolved/ upheld.
05/04/2012
Weekend Wogan
Radio 2, 22 January 2011
A listener's complaint that humorous references to the sinking of the Costa Concordia by Sir Terry Wogan were offensive and insensitive to those affected by the disaster, and called for a broadcast apology, was resolved.
05/04/2012
Donât Get Done, Get Dom
±«Óătv One, 11 May 2011
A complaint by Somerset County Council's Head of Communications that the programme was both unfair and inaccurate was upheld
4/04/2012
Do We Really Need the Moon?, ±«Óătv Two; Why the Moon is getting further away from Earth, bbc.co.uk
1 February 2011
A viewer's complaint that the programme was wrong to describe the Moon as âspeeding upâ in its orbit (a phrase replicated in the associated online item), and also that a graphic showing the moon orbiting the earth in the wrong direction had been misleading, was resolved/upheld
04/04/2012
Chris Evans at Paul's Cathedral
Radio 2, 25 November 2011
A listener's complaint that Chris Evans expressed a one-sided attitude to the protestors outside St Paulâs Cathedral, was upheld
03/04/2012
5 Live Breakfast
Radio 5 Live, 19 July 2011
A listener's complaint that, in the course of an interview with a Labour MP, Nicky Campbell incorrectly referred to Tom Baldwin (Ed Milibandâs Director of Communication) as âthe journalist on The Times who, at the behest it is said of Number 10, outed the name of Dr David Kellyâ, was upheld.
03/04/2012
The One Show
±«Óătv One, 24 October 2011
The complaint of three viewers, that the programme was inaccurate in saying that the legal minimum depth of tread for car tyres was 3mm, and the complaint by one of them that a demonstration of measuring tread using the rim of a 20p piece was misleading, was resolved/ partly upheld.
03/04/2012