Complaint
The article, originating from 大象传媒 Wales, gave an account of the journey of Rayan, a Somali national from Saudi Arabia to the UK.聽 A reader complained the use of 鈥渟补苍肠迟耻补谤测鈥 in the headline and the body of the article represented an expression of the author鈥檚 own opinion on a controversial matter; that Rayan had not been challenged about his decision to come to the UK when he could have claimed asylum in some of the countries he passed through; and that the article did not make clear Rayan had entered the UK illegally. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 大象传媒鈥檚 editorial standards of impartiality.
Outcome
The ECU did not agree that the use of 鈥渟补苍肠迟耻补谤测鈥 represented an expression of opinion; the term has no legal meaning or relevance to Rayan鈥檚 asylum claim, and simply reflected the fact that he had reached a place of safety.聽 As to Rayan鈥檚 decision to proceed to the UK, the ECU noted that there is no obligation under the for individuals to apply for asylum in the first safe country they reach, and considered there was therefore no occasion to challenge him on his decision.聽 The ECU also noted, however, that the article in its original form did not allude to the legality or otherwise of Rayan鈥檚 arrival in the UK.聽 In our judgement, the article fell short of the Editorial Guidelines鈥 requirement to ensure a wide range of significant views and perspectives are given due weight and prominence when controversial subjects are being treated, by reflecting no perspective other than Rayan鈥檚.聽 Subsequent changes to the article, including the addition of references to the publication of the Illegal Migration Bill in 2022 and to the 鈥渋llegal trade鈥 by means of which Rayan had reached the UK, sufficed to redress the balance, but the 大象传媒 expects that readers of its online articles should be notified of significant changes and the reasons for them, which had not happened in this case.聽 The complaint was upheld in that respect.
Partly upheld
Further action
The finding was reported to the management of 大象传媒 Wales and discussed with the relevant editorial team.聽 An appropriate note will be added to the article.