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Press Releases & Press Packs
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主播大秀
management and Governors publish separate reports on programme complaints
for the first time
For the first time, the 主播大秀 has published separately the findings
of its Programme Complaints Unit (PCU) and Governors' Programme Complaints
Committee (PCC).
This is because the PCU investigates complaints on behalf of management
and reports to the Director-General while the Governors take appeals
from complainants who are not happy with the response they have received
from management to a serious programme complaint. The move reflects
changes to 主播大秀 governance arrangements announced in February this
year.
To strengthen its independence the PCC has appointed Ronald Neil CBE
as its first Editorial Advisor. Ronald, who will begin attending Committee
meetings in May, will be responsible for providing independent editorial
advice to the PCC. As Editorial Advisor he will inform the PCC about
the concerns raised by the complainant, and the range of editorial
issues relating to the complaint.
In a foreword to the PCU bulletin (January to March 2002) 主播大秀 Director-General
Greg Dyke says: "There weren't any individual programmes in the
January - March quarter which caused large numbers of complaints to
the PCU, but there was a bit more traffic than usual in the "other
bias" category - nearly 20% of the complaints this quarter compared
with 14% over the year as a whole. That's the category covering bias
about issues which aren't party political, and the issue that accounts
for the increase this time is Israel and the Palestinians."
Nevertheless the Unit found no bias in any of the cases investigated
in this quarter and Greg Dyke says: "I think that's a fair reflection
of our coverage."
Statistics
Between 1 January and 31 March 2002, the PCU dealt with 186 complaints
about 156 items. 25 complaints were upheld (six of them partly), 13.5%
of the total. Of the items investigated in this period, complaints
were upheld against sixteen (10.5%).
The report contains a breakdown of complaints received. Under the
heading, 'Matters of fairness', party political bias accounted for
less than 1% of complaints received (1 complaint); unfair treatment
for 2% (4 complaints); harm to individuals/ organisations 4% (7 complaints);
factual inaccuracy 6% (11 complaints) and other bias 19.5% (36 complaints).
Under the heading, 'Matters of taste and standards', complaints of
poor taste accounted for 21% (39 complaints); bad language 2.5% (5
complaints); sexual conduct 4% (7 complaints); violence 11.5% (21
complaints); racism less than 1% (1 complaint); sensitivity and portrayal
6% (11 complaints); intrusiveness 2% (4 complaints); offence to religious
feeling 5.5% (10 complaints); bad example 6.5% (12 complaints); standards
of interviewing/ presentation 3% (6 complaints); commercial concerns
4% (7 complaints) and other matters 2% (4 complaints). There were
no complaints of sexism.
Governors'
Programme Complaints Committee
The
Governors' PCC considered seven appeals. Six were concerned with matters
of fairness and accuracy and one with matters of taste and decency.
The PCC upheld one appeal and one aspect of a second appeal. The remaining
appeals were not upheld.
Notes
to Editors
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