Complaint
An interviewee in the programme referred to Jeremy Corbyn as an anti-Semite, without challenge or rebuttal at the time. A listener complained that the presenter’s attempt to rectify the situation towards the end of the programme was inaccurate and misleading. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the Â鶹ԼÅÄ’s editorial standards of accuracy.
Outcome
As the charge of anti-Semitism is one which Mr Corbyn has repeatedly rebutted, and as there had been no challenge or rebuttal on his behalf at the time, it was right for the presenter to return to the matter while the programme was still on the air. However, the ECU shared the listener’s concern about the terms in which she did so, which included the statement that there was “absolutely no evidence that…Jeremy Corbyn was or is anti-Semiticâ€. While reluctant to find fault with an attempted correction which was clearly well-intentioned, unscripted and made under some pressure of time, the ECU could not disregard the fact that the statement in question did not take account of instances which many people consider to be evidence of anti-Semitism on Mr Corbyn’s part. To that extent, it fell short of the Â鶹ԼÅÄ’s standards of accuracy.
Upheld
Further action
The finding was reported to the Board of Â鶹ԼÅÄ News and discussed with the programme-makers concerned.