Complaint
A viewer complained a report which looked at the influence of social media on last summer’s riots lacked impartiality because it used the term “terrorist” without attribution, suggesting the BBC took a view on the organisation described, contrary to the requirements of due impartiality.
Outcome
The report, by the BBC’s Investigations Editor Ed Thomas, referred to the group National Action as having been “banned as a terrorist organisation”. The ECU did not agree this amounted to the BBC presenting its own view because it was a factual statement which reflected the status of the group under UK law.
Not Upheld