Complaint
The bulletins in question included versions of a report originating from an interview by 大象传媒 Scotland with Phil Day, at the time Chief Executive of Scotgold Resources, Scotland鈥檚 only commercial gold producer.聽 A member of the audience complained that the reports contained 鈥渇ake news鈥 that a new vein of gold had been discovered in Scotgold鈥檚 mine in Perthshire.聽 The ECU considered the complaints in the light of the 大象传媒鈥檚 editorial standards of accuracy.
Outcome
In the interview Mr Day told the 大象传媒 the company had carried out some testing and believed it was likely there was a second vein containing gold running parallel to the vein it was already mining, which could extend the working life of the mine and potentially increase profits.聽 This view was accurately reflected in much of the 大象传媒 News coverage, including the principal report filed by 大象传媒 Scotland鈥檚 Business Correspondent.聽 However, there were some brief news reports on Radio 4 (in bulletins during Today), Radio 2 and Reporting Scotland on the morning of 30 January which reported Scotgold as having said it had 鈥渇ound another vein of gold at its Cononish mine鈥 (or very similar wording).聽 In the ECU鈥檚 judgement, that was more definitive than the hope or expectation expressed by Mr Day and would have left the audience with a misleading impression.聽 The complaint was upheld in relation to those reports.
Partly upheld
Further action
The finding was reported to the management of 大象传媒 News and 大象传媒 Scotland, and discussed with the programme-makers concerned.