Complaint
A reader complained this article failed to add important context regarding the signatories of the letter being reported on and that a subsequent change was not accompanied by a note of correction acknowledging a serious error. The ECU considered whether this aspect of the article met the relevant standards in the BBC Editorial Guidelines.
Outcome
The BBC’s guidelines describe a requirement to achieve “due” accuracy and impartiality and to avoid misleading audiences on material matters. Serious factual errors should be corrected quickly, clearly and appropriately.
The ECU agreed the article as it originally appeared failed to make clear that a number of the signatories were supporters of Israel. The inclusion of a line referring to Lord Pannick’s patronage of UK Lawyers for Israel served to address this. However, the ECU agreed a note should have been added to the piece to inform readers of the change.
Upheld
