The report concerned a ruling on “buffer zones” outside abortion clinics in Northern Ireland.  The BBC’s correspondent referred to the position of “religious anti-abortion groups” who wished to hold prayer sessions outside clinics with the aim of helping women to change their minds and the term “pro-choice” in reference to those who felt this was harassment. 

The complainant argued this was biased on the basis the latter phrase was “positive and affirming” and the former negative. However the terminology used reflected the BBC’s News Style Guide which states.

Avoid pro-abortion, and use pro-choice instead.  Campaigners favour a woman’s right to choose, rather than abortion itself.  And use anti-abortion rather than pro-life, except where it is part of the title of a group’s name.

In the ECU’s view the BBC was entitled to decide on the language it employed, so long as this met the standards and values set out in its Editorial Guidelines.  Both “pro-choice” and “anti-abortion” met the requirements for due accuracy and impartiality.  Where, as here,  the BBC’s preferred wording was used in a neutral manner by the correspondent, and accurately described the position taken by each group, it did not amount to  breach of BBC standards. 

Not Upheld