Complaint
A contributor complained the programme failed to reflect her findings on the origins of Braille.  The ECU considered whether the programme met the BBC’s Guidelines on Accuracy.
Outcome
The programme focused on the life of Louis Braille but included details of a precursor to the system he championed, invented by a former military officer named Charles Barbier.  The complainant, an expert on Mr Barbier, said she told researchers that he had not created his system for the military, was a civilian when he created it, and that it was always intended to be used by blind people. The ECU agreed the programme’s wording suggested to listeners that the military usage for his writing system came first, with a use for blind people as an afterthought.  This did not accurately reflect the complainant’s findings, a fact listeners would not have drawn from the broadcast.
Upheld
Further action
The programme was edited to remove the inaccuracy and the finding was discussed with the team concerned.