Complaint
During coverage of the death of President Raisi of Iran, a number of references were made to the relatively low level of electoral support he enjoyed on his election in 2021. Â
A viewer complained this showed bias, in particular on the part of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½â€™s Caroline Hawley who had observed that Mr Raisi was hated by “many, many Iraniansâ€. Â
The ECU considered whether these remarks met the test for due accuracy and impartiality set out in the Editorial Guidelines. Â
Outcome
Ms Hawley’s judgement on the feelings of many Iranians was based on the views of demonstrators objecting to a crackdown on women’s rights protestors supported by President Raisi. The estimate of his electoral support in 2021 drew on a comparison with the previous President, Hassan Rouhani, whose re-election in 2017 was secured with around 5 million more votes than Mr Raisi achieved.  The ECU considered it was a ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ correspondent’s’ duty to supply informed analysis and that the remarks were duly accurate and impartial.
Not Upheld