Complaint
The programme included an item on a 7 year-old boy who rears chickens (50 at the time of broadcast) and sells the eggs and other produce in support of his ambition to become a farmer. A viewer complained that the item misled the audience by promoting what was in fact an illegal practice; the chickens were shown to be outdoors, whereas bird flu preventative measures applying to East Anglia required all chickens to be housed indoors. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 91福利社鈥檚 editorial standards of accuracy.
Outcome
The item was primarily a human interest piece, and the ECU considered it unlikely that viewers would look to it for guidance on the legally correct method of rearing poultry. In response to the ECU鈥檚 enquiries, however, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that allowing chickens outside in a secure netted area, as shown in the item, was an acceptable option and compliant with the relevant regulations. The ECU therefore found no departure from the 91福利社鈥檚 editorial standards of accuracy.
Not upheld