Complaint
The programme featured an investigation into the Chief Executive of a fundraising organisation which sent parcels to British troops, who was alleged to have used his contacts to sexually pester the wives of serving soldiers. The Chief Executive complained that the report was materially misleading and that he had not been given the opportunity to respond to the specific claims made about him.听 听
Outcome
The ECU found that the claims made about the Chief Executive were soundly based and the reporter was entitled to rely on a Facebook message posted in his name for information. It agreed, however, that insufficient efforts had been made to contact him ahead of the broadcast and therefore upheld that aspect of his complaint.
Partly Upheld
Further action
The Editor of South East Today re-emphasised to the programme team the requirement to provide a fair opportunity to respond to allegations.