Complaint
A representative of Jewish Voice for Labour complained that an interview with the film-maker Ken Loach had been conducted in a biased manner, by ambushing him with an allegation that he had been 鈥渁辫辫补濒濒颈苍驳鈥 in his denial of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, and that the programme had failed to reflect adequately Jewish Voice for Labour鈥檚 complaint to the Labour Party about its treatment of Jewish members.聽 The ECU considered the first aspect of the complaint principally in the light of the 大象传媒鈥檚 editorial standards of impartiality and the second in the light of its standards of accuracy.
Outcome
The allegation in question had been made by Campaign Against Antisemitism, and it was legitimate to put it to Mr Loach for comment.聽 Rather than being ambushed, Mr Loach made clear in his answer that he was well aware of the allegation, and he took the opportunity to rebut it strongly.聽 The ECU therefore found no breach of impartiality.聽 As to Jewish Voice for Labour鈥檚 complaint to the Labour Party, the programme-makers were not at the time aware that it had been made, or of its contents.聽 Nevertheless the programme accurately reflected the exchange between Mr Loach and the Labour Party out of which the complaint had arisen.
Not upheld