Complaint
A listener complained a report on water pollution in the Lake District failed to take into account factors other than the role of the water companies. Β The ECU considered whether the broadcast met the editorial standards for impartiality set out in the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Editorial Guidelines.
Outcome
The report, and the interview which followed it, looked specifically at storm overflows at two plants managed by United Utilities. Β The coverage included a report from the site and a statement from United Utilities in which they said the release from the two treatment works was due to exceptionally high levels of rainfall. Β The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ’s Editorial Guidelines say due impartiality means taking account of the subject and nature of the relevant content. Β In practice, this means a report on a specific incident in a specific location will not normally require an acknowledgement of other factors which may affect water quality elsewhere.Β ΜύΜύ
Not Upheld