7/3/22: Ofcom ruled that BBC News at Six on 26 February 2021 breached the Broadcasting Code with Scotland editor Sarah Smith’s statement that: “Alex Salmond said he believes Nicola Sturgeon has misled Parliament and broken the Ministerial Code, which he thinks means she should resign.” However Salmond had actually said “no doubt that Nicola broke the Ministerial Code, but it is not for me to suggest what the consequences should be”.
The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit acknowledged that the broadcast did not meet the required standard of accuracy but said the BBC took sufficient steps to correct the error by noting it on its website, while Smith also posted a clarification on Twitter. However Ofcom said there should have been an on-air correction as it was a “significant” mistake on an issue of “significant public interest”.
Ofcom said the error breached Rule 5.1 – “news, in whatever form, must be reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality” – and 5.2 – “significant mistakes in news should normally be acknowledged and corrected on air quickly. Corrections should be appropriately scheduled” – of the Broadcasting Code. (Full ruling)
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