Complaint
The programme included an item on the shooting of a man in the Whitehouse Road area of Londonderry. A viewer objected that the use of “Derry” (rather than “Londonderry”) in the on-screen caption indicated bias. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the BBC’s editorial standards of impartiality.
Outcome
In order to reflect the contention which can sometimes attach to its name, the BBC style guide recommends that Londonderry/Derry “should be given the full name at first mention, but may be referred to as Derry at second reference”. As the city’s official name was used in the accompanying voiceover, the caption was in keeping with this advice and duly impartial.
Not Upheld