Complaint
A viewer complained that a guestβs reference to Jeremy Corbyn as βeffectively a communistβ (which he regarded as biased and inaccurate on the grounds that Mr Corbynβs policies were those of democratic socialism) had gone unchallenged.Β The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔβs editorial standards of accuracy and impartiality.
Outcome
The guestβs reference was in the context of an explanation of his view that the then-Prime Ministerβs campaign against what she termed an βanti-growth coalitionβ would not be a successful line of attack on Labour.Β While his characterisation of Mr Corbynβs political position was certainly disputable, the ECU did not believe it to be such as to mislead viewers materially when offered as a passing comment in support of the broader point that Conservative strategy had not yet been updated in the light of the change in Labourβs leadership.Β In the ECUβs judgement, viewers would have been likely to understand that the guest had been expressing an opinion rather than stating established facts, and no challenge from the presenter was required by the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔβs standards of accuracy and impartiality.
Not Upheld