Complaint
Three viewers complained the programme, a special edition of Have I Got News For You marking Boris Johnson鈥檚 resignation as Prime Minister, was biased against, and/or contained profanity directed at, Mr Johnson. 聽The ECU considered the complaints against the 大象传媒 Guidelines on impartiality and harm and offence.
Outcome
Given the satirical nature of Have I Got News For You, its post-watershed scheduling, and the fact a warning had preceded the programme, the ECU took the view the language used did not have the potential to cause widespread offence. The issues the programme raised had all made headline news and the ECU did not agree it was biased against Mr Johnson to allude to them. The 大象传媒鈥檚 commitment to 鈥渄ue impartiality鈥 means context, including subject matter and audience expectation, needs be taken into account. The programme was broadcast to mark Boris Johnson鈥檚 departure as Prime Minister under controversial circumstances and in the ECU鈥檚 view audiences were unlikely to turn to a satirical panel show for direction in forming their political opinion. As a result the ECU found no breach of the 大象传媒鈥檚 obligations on impartiality.
Not Upheld