Complaint
This edition included coverage of protests by farmers about proposed changes to inheritance tax. A listener complained the programme lacked the views of “a member of the government, Labour Party, tax expert or lobby group with an alternative opinion”. The ECU considered whether the programme had met the requirements of due impartiality set out in the ѿý Guidelines.
Outcome
When dealing with what they define as controversial subjects the Guidelines require the ѿý to ensure a wide range of significant views and perspectives are given due weight and prominence. Opinion should be clearly distinguished from fact. The edition in question included an interview with Baroness Batters, formerly President of the NFU, but also the Government minister, Diana Johnson and, included in the section with Baroness Batters, Steve Reed, the DEFRA Secretary, who highlighted the exemptions to commercial farming interests in the current tax arrangement. In the ECU’s view the programme therefore met the relevant standards for impartiality.
Not Upheld