Today, Radio 4, 17 August 2023

Complaint

A listener complained that an item on housing was guilty of 鈥渂latant bias鈥 in stating as a fact 鈥渢he opinion that not enough homes are being built鈥 and in including contributions only from those in favour of building new homes while ignoring such issues as the effect of new construction on carbon emissions.聽 The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 大象传媒鈥檚 editorial standards of impartiality.


Outcome

The item鈥檚 focus was on the availability and cost of rental properties, and the selection of contributors reflected that focus and represented an appropriate range of viewpoints on the issues under discussion.聽 The presenter鈥檚 references to undersupply of new homes as one of the causes of rising rents was a conclusion based on numerous studies of the UK housing market rather than a statement of personal opinion.

Not upheld