Complaint
Coverage of the opening game of the 2022 Qatar World Cup included discussion of some of the political and ethical issues raised by the tournament. 聽Five viewers complained it was not impartial and also criticised the 大象传媒 for its failure to show the opening ceremony on a mainstream channel. 聽The ECU considered whether the coverage met the 大象传媒鈥檚 standards for due impartiality.
Outcome
The ECU noted 大象传媒 Sport has not shown the opening ceremony of a World Cup on a mainstream channel since at least 2002. 聽The decision by the organisers to change the timing and duration of the opening ceremony also meant it was almost over by the start of the scheduled 大象传媒 One programme covering the opening match. 聽Even if that had not been the case, the question of what to broadcast was a matter of editorial discretion for programme-makers and in the ECU鈥檚 view they were entitled to choose not to show the ceremony on 大象传媒 One and only make it available in full online.
The same consideration applied to the discussion ahead of the opening match. 聽Those responsible for the programme鈥檚 content were entitled to exercise their editorial judgement and address some of the issues raised by the decision to stage the World Cup in Qatar. 聽The decision to hold the competition in Qatar prompted widespread debate including, but certainly not limited to, human rights, working conditions and environmental impact.
The programme reflected the response from FIFA, the Qatari authorities and ambassadors for the tournament and included a lengthy extract from a speech by the Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA in which he defended Qatar and responded to criticisms. 聽The 大象传媒鈥檚 International Editor, Jeremy Bowen, also gave his assessment. 聽The programme met the standards for impartiality in that it gave due weight to the main strands of argument while also recognising the 大象传媒 says due impartiality 鈥渄oes not require absolute neutrality on every issue or detachment from fundamental democratic principles鈥.
Not Upheld