Complaint
A viewer complained a report by the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔβs ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Editor Mark Easton was inaccurate and lacked balance because it suggested βrΎ±³¦³σβ pensioners voted because of the so-called triple lock. Β The ECU considered whether the broadcast met the editorial standards for accuracy and impartiality set out in the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Editorial Guidelines
Outcome
The report made the point the total number of people registered to vote is on a downward trend, particularly among young people. Β It included the following summary:
Research suggests that those groups which tend not to vote, the young, the poor, ethnic minorities, become less of a priority for governments. And those that do tend to vote, like rich pensioners, well, they have their interests triple locked.
All individuals who receive the state pension benefit from the triple lock. Β However, in the ECUβs view the point Mr Easton was making was not that pensioners, rich or otherwise, vote because of the triple-lock but that governments tend to favour the needs of groups who do vote over those that do not. Β In this context the comment was duly accurate and wider analysis of the triple lock was not required in order to achieve Β due impartiality.
Not Upheld