Complaint
In an interview about a march to the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police in protest at the killing by a firearms officer of a black musician Chris Kaba, the Bishop of Croydon, Dr Rosemarie Mallett referred to 鈥渢he murder of Mark Duggan鈥. A listener complained this 鈥済rossly misrepresented鈥 the findings of the inquest into Mr Duggan鈥檚 death which concluded that his killing by a Metropolitan Police officer was lawful. The ECU considered whether the interview met the 大象传媒鈥檚 editorial standards for accuracy.
Outcome
The ECU noted that what contributors say on programmes is their responsibility.聽 The 大象传媒鈥檚 responsibility in this instance was limited to making clear to listeners that the idea that Mr Duggan had been murdered was, at the least, contested, the inquest having concluded that there had been no unlawful killing.聽 In this instance the ECU understood that the Bishop misspoke and would have said 鈥渄eath鈥 rather than 鈥渕urder鈥 if it had been queried at the time. The failure by the 大象传媒 to do this left listeners with an impression which was not consistent with the 大象传媒鈥檚 standards of accuracy, and on that basis the complaint was upheld.
UPHELD
Further action
The finding was discussed with the programme team.