Only Connect, 大象传媒 Two, 28 March 2023

Complaint

A viewer complained that the presenter inappropriately expressed a personal view, to the effect that she did not accept the theory of evolution.聽 The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 大象传媒鈥檚 editorial standards of impartiality.


Outcome

The 大象传媒鈥檚 guidelines on impartiality say that audiences should not be able to tell from 大象传媒 output what personal opinions on controversial matters are held by 大象传媒 journalists or presenters of news and current affairs programmes.聽 However, the ECU noted that the presenter of this quiz programme did not fall into either of those categories and that it was at least debatable whether the theory of evolution should be regarded as a controversial matter in the sense intended by the guidelines.聽 In any event, it seemed to the ECU that viewers would have taken the presenter鈥檚 remark as typical of her sardonic and humorously-intended asides rather than as a serious expression of opinion.

Not upheld