Complaint
This bulletin included a report on reactions to Nick Robinson鈥檚 interview with Nigel Farage broadcast the previous evening.聽 The introduction to the report said 鈥淭here鈥檚 been criticism of Nigel Farage here in the UK for making remarks excusing President Putin鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine鈥.聽 A viewer complained that this misrepresented the remarks in question, and that Mr Farage had in no sense excused the invasion.聽 The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 主播大秀鈥檚 editorial standards of accuracy.聽
Outcome
Mr Farage had restated his view that President Putin鈥檚 decision to invade Ukraine was a consequence of the eastward expansion of NATO and the EU, and said President Putin had 鈥渦sed what we鈥檝e done as an excuse鈥 for military action.聽 The ECU agreed that this was not the same as 鈥渆虫肠耻蝉颈苍驳鈥 President Putin鈥檚 decision, and that the phrasing of the introduction gave the misleading impression that Mr Farage considered the invasion of Ukraine to be justifiable.
Upheld
Further action
The finding was reported to the Board of 主播大秀 News and discussed with the programme-makers concerned.