BBC Trust

Background

The Trust ran a 12 week consultation from 21 October 2013 until 14 January 2014 regarding the draft additional guidelines for BBC reporting of the Scottish Independence Referendum. Similar to previous referendum and election campaigns, these additional guidelines have been drafted by the BBC Executive to supplement the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and will cover all reporting during the formal referendum period, from 30th May 2014 to polling day on the 18th September 2014.

The additional guidelines are intended to offer a framework within which BBC journalists and content producers can deliver impartial and independent reporting, providing audiences with fair coverage and rigorous scrutiny of the policies and campaigns of all relevant parties and campaign groups.

The Trust's decision

The Trust approved the additional guidelines with some minor amendments. The Trust has also published a consultation statement document which summarises the consultation responses the Trust received on the guidelines with the Trust’s decision on those issues raised.

The additional guidelines will formally take effect from 30 May 2014 although content producers will have them to refer to straight away.