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‘Unbalanced’ Reporting Scotland report on Brexit breached BBC impartiality guidelines

The BBC's Executive Complaints Unit said a Reporting Scotland report on Brexit breached editorial guidelines.

A report by BBC One Scotland’s national news programme Reporting Scotland breached the broadcaster’s impartiality guidelines with an “unbalanced view” on the impact of Brexit.

The BBC’s executive complaints unit (ECU) has ruled the programme on 20 December 2021 should have reflected areas “where its impact had been less negative”.

The report was about how post-Brexit trading arrangements had affected exporters and businesses in Scotland and an introduction stated: “Brexit’s advocates say there will be long term economic benefits, but it’s been a tough year for some of the Scottish businesses most affected…”

The ECU said it was “legitimate” for the report to focus on only those “most affected” but that impartiality should have been maintained by exploring other aspects of the topic “within a reasonable timeframe”.

The ECU “noted that the reporter had conducted research across all sectors of the Scottish economy in preparing the report, which had led him to conclude that improved performance in some areas was attributable to factors other than Brexit,” the complaint report said.

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“It is generally agreed however, that Brexit has had a differential effect, bearing hardest on the kind of small businesses featured in the report, so there was at least a need to reflect areas where its impact had been less negative, whether on this occasion or in an appropriately linked programme,” it continued.

The finding was reported to BBC Scotland management and the programme team.

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Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly dose of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
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