Complaint
A viewer complained this programme failed to properly challenge Ms Begum and offered insufficient context for her story. 聽The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 大象传媒鈥檚 standards of accuracy and impartiality.
Outcome
The ECU acknowledged that Shamima Begum is a highly controversial individual who polarises opinion. 聽While some consider her unequivocally a terrorist, others take the view that at fifteen years old she was radicalised and exploited. 聽In the ECU鈥檚 view the film included sufficient dissenting voices to counter the accusation that the very broadcast of Shamima Begum鈥檚 denials about the level of her involvement in Isis represented a breach of the guidelines on accuracy. 聽The film would not have left viewers with the impression that her answers were reliable, when in fact it explored the reasons many were likely to be untrue. 聽Similarly, in terms of impartiality, the film included the Conservative MP Sajid Javid鈥檚 emphatic endorsement of the decision to revoke her citizenship and reflected opposition by members of the public and parts of the media to the possibility of her聽 return to the UK. The ECU concluded the subject was properly scrutinised and challenged and did not agree Ms Begum had been provided with a uncritical platform to tell her side of the story.
Not Upheld