Complaint
The channelβs output that day included a ticker tape which read βDonald Trump describes Kamala Harris as a radical liberal and a bumβ. Β A viewer complained this was an inaccurate and biased summary of his speech and inappropriate language to include before the watershed. Β The ECU considered whether the coverage met the relevant standards set out in the Editorial Guidelines.
Outcome
The impartiality guidelines allow that output may legitimately focus on a particular aspect of any issue, provided there is a clear editorial justification for doing so. Β The ECU noted the line accurately highlighted a significant aspect of a speech and other points were drawn out in the wider reporting on the channel throughout the morning. Β It did not therefore agree with the complainant that the reference served to endorse hate-speech nor that it was indicative of bias. Β The language used, however unpalatable to some, did not in the ECUβs view breach generally accepted standards for the time of broadcast.
Not Upheld