Complaint
This edition of The World at One included an interview with Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories.  A listener complained the programme failed to make clear the guest’s views on Israel and that she was insufficiently challenged by the presenter.  The ECU considered whether the interview met the standards on due impartiality set out in the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Guidelines.
Outcome
The interview followed a significant escalation in the Gaza conflict.  Ms Albanese was introduced as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian Territories and listeners were told she had previously described what was happening as ethnic cleansing.  Whilst the ECU accepted it would have been helpful for listeners to hear a brief outline of the mandate and nature of the UN Special Rapporteur role, it did not agree listeners would assume Ms Albanese to be “d¾±²õ±è²¹²õ²õ¾±´Ç²Ô²¹³Ù±ð†or “n±ð³Ü³Ù°ù²¹±ô†as the complainant had suggested. Ms Albanese’s views on the conflict became apparent very quickly as the interview got underway and were appropriately challenged by the presenter.
Not Upheld