Complaint
Two listeners complained that a discussion about the release of a new Harry Potter video game was one-sided and lacked sufficient challenge, particularly in relation to the claim that JK Rowling had a history of transphobia. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the BBC’s standards of impartiality.
Outcome
BBC News has acknowledged that the element of challenge by the presenter, Evan Davis, towards the end of the interview was insufficient and belated. The ECU agreed the programme did not meet the BBC’s editorial standards of impartiality on this occasion but noted a summary of the issue and the BBC’s response was posted on the BBC Complaints page on 6 February. Mr Davis also published a tweet shortly after the programme was broadcast in which he said he should have made it clearer that the interviewee’s views about JK Rowling were “heavily contested”. The ECU therefore considered sufficient action had been taken to resolve the issue of complaint.
Resolved