Complaint
This edition of Newsnight included an item on home education.聽 A viewer questioned the accuracy and impartiality of the report, in particular the absence of an explanation of the benefits of home education and the arguments in favour of parental responsibility.聽 The ECU considered the complaints in the light of the 大象传媒鈥檚 editorial standards of accuracy and impartiality.
Outcome
The ECU found no inaccuracies in the report.聽 In relation to impartiality, the 大象传媒鈥檚 guidelines refer to 鈥渄耻别鈥 impartiality, which includes a respect for fundamental democratic principles. 聽This would extend to the safety of children and young people, and their right to an education. 聽It gives programme-makers significant leeway to look at research suggesting dangers exist, and explore whether the current arrangements are sufficient without requiring a detailed analysis of the arguments of those who advocate for home education, or to set out its benefits. 聽Within those parameters, the ECU considered the programme took an even-handed approach to the topic. 聽The case study 鈥 a young man with learning difficulties being tutored by his sister 鈥 looked at the positives for people like him, who had been underserved in school with provision which did not meet his needs. 聽The reporter explicitly stated that parents and carers had the right to decide what education their children received, and it was made clear children not receiving instruction, or at risk of abuse, were a very small proportion of those being educated at home.
The complainant queried the item鈥檚 treatment of the issue of a mandatory register of all home educated children. 聽In the ECU鈥檚 view the level of controversy attaching to this part of the report stood to be judged in light of the considerations set out above and the fact that the proposal for a register enjoys cross-party support as well as that of Ofsted, the Children鈥檚 Commissioner and local authorities. 聽The ECU noted that in her interview Amanda Spielman of Ofsted acknowledged the proposal had caused many people to feel angry or implicitly criticised. That comment was sufficient to ensure that viewers understood there was some disagreement about the idea.
Not upheld