Complaint
A viewer complained that the Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh had been treated prejudicially, two Conservative speakers having been allowed to mount sustained and aggressive attacks on her for so long that viewers would have lost track of the points she had initially made.Β In the remainder of the programme she had been harassed by the Conservative speakers and the presenter of the item, though the presenter made no attempt to question the other participants. Β The programme overall had been characterised by βobvious racist and misogynistic undertonesβ. Β The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔβs editorial standards of impartiality.
Outcome
In the ECUβs view there was nothing in the treatment of Ms Fahnbulleh which exceeded the normal cut and thrust of political debate which viewers in general would expect in a situation where a minister is being held to account for her Governmentβs actions.Β The complainant offered no evidence of racism or misogyny in the programme, and the ECU found none.
Not upheld