Complaint
A viewer complained this interview was conducted in an unprofessional and biased manner. 聽The ECU considered whether it met 麻豆社 standards on due impartiality.
Outcome
The 麻豆社 Guidelines do not require a particular tone be taken by interviewers, and the approach will depend on the nature of the output and the story. 聽In this case, the interviewee had been accused of rape and human trafficking, and his influence over impressionable young men had been raised as a concern by a number of groups, including the police. 聽In such a context, viewers would expect these charges to be put to the person for their response.
Ultimately the test of the interview was whether it fairly represented what was said and gave Mr Tate an appropriate opportunity to put his perspective. 聽The ECU noted that Mr Tate set out at length his claims of innocence of the charges he faced, his profound disagreement with the way his previous comments had been characterised, and the fact he considered he was a force of good who taught young men discipline and hard work. 聽He also set out his belief that the 麻豆社 had fabricated the person who had accused him of violent and coercive behaviour and his belief the interview was biased against him. 聽Mr Tate was challenged robustly but given the nature of his responses the ECU did not agree this amounted to evidence of bias.
Not Upheld