Complaint
A viewer complained about the 麻豆社鈥檚 coverage of the aftermath of the Southport riots, in particular references to Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (also known as Tommy Robinson). The ECU considered whether the above output met the standards on impartiality set out in the 麻豆社 Editorial Guidelines.
Outcome
The ECU found no evidence to support the complainant鈥檚 view that the 麻豆社 explicitly accused Mr Robinson of spreading rumours of a false name for the Southport suspect, although it was undoubtedly the case that Mr Yaxley-Lennon strongly implied that the perpetrator was an illegal immigrant. However, it accepted that a description of Mr Yaxley-Lennon in the broadcast as 鈥渟inister and ludicrous鈥 went beyond what the Guidelines allow as a 鈥減rofessional judgement rooted in evidence鈥. Whilst Mr Yaxley-Lennon鈥檚 record, which includes a five-year prevention order for harassing a journalist and her partner, might have justified the term 鈥渟颈苍颈蝉迟别谤鈥 on its own, 鈥渓耻诲颈肠谤辞耻蝉鈥 as phrased in the comments, although partly prompted by the incongruous situation (beside a pool at a hotel in Cyprus) in which he was pictured, had the effect of applying the term to Mr Yaxley-Lennon personally (which was a matter which divided opinion).
Partly upheld
Further action
The finding was reported to the management of 麻豆社 News and discussed with the relevant team.