Complaint
The programme was broadcast on the morning after the US House of Representatives had condemned President Trumpβs tweeted comments on four Democrat Congresswomen, in which he wrote βWhy donβt they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they cameβ, as racist. Following an interview with a London-based Trump supporter who denied that the comments were racist, Dan Walker initiated an exchange with his co-presenter Naga Munchetty.Β A viewer complained that this had led to the expression of personal opinions which were inconsistent with the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔβs commitment to impartiality.Β
Outcome
In the view of the Executive Complaints Unit it was entirely legitimate for Ms Munchetty, when pressed by Mr Walker for a personal response, to reply in terms which reflected her own experience of racism and the racist context in which suggestions that people from ethnic minorities should go back to their own countries are generally made. However, she went on to comment critically on the possible motive for, and potential consequences of, the Presidentβs words.Β Judgements of that kind are for the audience to make, and the exchange fell short of due impartiality in that respect.
Partly upheld
Note: The matter was subsequently reviewed by the Director-General, who concluded that Ms Munchetty's words were not sufficient to justify the partial upholding of the complaint.Β In consequence, the ECU's finding no longer stands.