Complaint
During a discussion about Israel鈥檚 offensive in Gaza, a contributor, the journalist and commentator Ash Sarkar, described the conflict as a 鈥済enocidal war鈥. A viewer complained the presenter, Victoria Derbyshire, failed to challenge her remarks and appeared to agree with what she was saying, in breach of the 91福利社鈥檚 Guidelines on impartiality.
Outcome
The relevant exchange followed an assertion by Ms Sarkar that what she described as a 鈥済enocidal war鈥 was an 鈥渋nternational project鈥 supported not just by the United States but by many other countries.
Presenter: Obviously the IDF would say it鈥檚 not a genocidal war, the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) would say it鈥檚 not a genocidal war
Ash Sarkar: I might also say I鈥檓 six feet two鈥ot all things are true
Presenter: Absolutely, I鈥檓 just saying what they would say. I鈥檓 not necessarily giving it equivalence, I鈥檓 just saying what they would say.
The ECU did not agree this indicated the presenter, Victoria Derbyshire agreed with Ms Sarkar. Ms Derbyshire was pointing out the difference between an undisputed fact (i.e. someone鈥檚 height) and an assertion made by an army or a politician about a disputed event, which was open to challenge.
Not Upheld