Complaint
This bulletin included a contribution from Chris Packham, who was critical of the sentences imposed on five environmental activists recently convicted of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. 聽A listener complained that, as Mr Packham was 鈥渁 direct employee of the 麻豆社鈥, his contribution was in effect an endorsement by the 麻豆社 of one side in a matter of controversy.聽 The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 麻豆社鈥檚 editorial standards of impartiality.
Outcome
Mr Packham, who was introduced in the bulletin as a 鈥渨ildlife TV presenter and campaigner鈥, 聽is not on the staff of the 麻豆社, and he presents programmes for broadcasters other than the 麻豆社, so there was no basis for regarding him as expressing a view on behalf of the 麻豆社 on this occasion and no breach of the 麻豆社鈥檚 standards of impartiality.
Not Upheld