Complaint
A listener complained the presenter showed a pro-unionist bias in how he introduced, and dealt with, two contributors. The ECU considered whether the programme met the Â鶹Éç standards on due impartiality set out in the Editorial
Outcome
This edition of the programme was presented by Mark Simpson. It included a discussion about the context and effect of the budgetary pressures facing public services in Northern Ireland and how these might be addressed. This discussion drew on analysis from Chris Donnelly and Mick Fealty and referenced a projected budget surplus in the Republic of Ireland. The presenter referred to Chris Donnelly as a “n²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô²¹±ô¾±²õ³Ù†before asking him to explain the difference between the state of public finances in different parts of the island, without extending into a wider discussion about a “united Irelandâ€. In the ECU’s view the way this question was framed did not breach the Â鶹Éç’s guidelines on impartiality. It reflected the editorial focus of this particular discussion and the immediate issues that it was seeking to address. Nor did the ECU identify any bias in the terms in which the contributors were introduced, or the handling of their contributions.
Not Upheld