Complaint
A listener complained that an interview with an NUJ representative conducted by the programme鈥檚 presenter about a strike at STV breached the 大象传媒鈥檚 Editorial Guidelines on impartiality in two respects.聽 Firstly, the information the presenter gave about his membership of the NUJ and his visit to the STV picket line brought the item into conflict with the section of the impartiality guidelines (4.3.11) which says audiences 鈥渟hould not be able to tell from 大象传媒 output the personal opinions of [...] current affairs presenters on matters of public policy, political or industrial controversy".聽 Secondly his conduct of the interview itself conflicted with section 4.3.14, which says 鈥淐ontributors expressing contentious views, either through an interview or other means, must be challenged鈥.
Outcome
Noting that 大象传媒 Scotland had already implicitly acknowledged in correspondence that the item was not satisfactory in terms of impartiality, the ECU agreed that the presenter鈥檚 statement that he had visited the picket line earlier that day 鈥渋n my capacity as an NUJ member鈥 would have given listeners the impression that he supported the action against STV.聽 And, although he put the position of STV management to the NUJ representative in the course of the interview, the ECU accepted that the interview overall was not appropriately challenging.聽 It therefore upheld both aspects of the complaint.
Upheld
Further action
The finding was reported to the management of 大象传媒 Scotland and discussed with the programme-makers concerned.