BBC journalists must keep their personal views out of speeches
BBC MONOLOGUES trying to “catch the audience’s attention” should not contain journalists’ personal views on political scandals, Ofcom has told the broadcaster in the wake of Emily Maitlis’s Newsnight speech.
The presenter opened a programme in May 2020 by claiming that Dominic Cummings had caused “national disquiet” when he “broke the rules” by driving 260 miles to Co Durham during lockdown.
Viewers submitted more than 24,000 complaints to the BBC over her remarks on the Prime Minister’s adviser, and the broadcaster itself admitted it did not meet “standards of due impartiality”.
Ofcom has now warned the corporation that while it seeks to “catch the audience’s attention” with monologues on political scandals, journalists must not “inadvertently give the impression of setting out personal opinions or views”.
Reminding the BBC of its duty to remain impartial, the media watchdog stated in a report: “The presenter took a particular position on the events which were the subject of controversy and debate, for example, that Mr Cummings had broken lockdown rules.
“The presenter’s opening remarks had the potential to be perceived by some viewers as an expression of her personal view on a matter of major political controversy, and major matter relating to current public policy.”
The BBC’S executive complaints unit ruled in September last year that Ms Maitlis’s scripted remarks on Newsnight had gone too far, but decided against further disciplinary action.
Five viewers then escalated their complaints to Ofcom, but the body has stated it will not pursue further action against the broadcaster, instead reminding presenters to be careful “when preparing programme introductions in news programmes”.
Ofcom ruled that the programme in its entirety had contained a sufficiently wide number of views on the scandal.
Mr Cummings maintained that he had not broken any lockdown rules, saying he had made the journey to ensure childcare for his four-year-old son.
Ofcom’s message to the BBC came as it fined CGTN, China’s state-owned broadcaster, £225,000 for serious breaches of fairness, privacy and impartiality rules. The broadcaster was fined £125,000 for failing to uphold “due impartiality” in five broadcasts relating to protests in Hong Kong in 2019.
A second penalty, of £100,000, was levied for breaching fairness and privacy requirements in two reports, aired in 2013 and 2014, on the arrest of British investigator Peter Humphrey, who was detained with his wife during a probe into corruption at pharmaceuticals giant Glaxosmithkline.