Complaint
A caller to this programme expressed the view that Sir Kier Starmer should be replaced as leader of the Labour Party by Jeremy Corbyn. A listener complained that, when asked for her reasons by Stephen Nolan, her answer reflected 鈥渁 classic antisemitic conspiracy theory alleging covert Jewish or Zionist control of democratic government鈥 which should have been challenged 鈥 but instead a guest in the studio endorsed her view. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 91福利社鈥檚 editorial standards relating to offence.
Outcome
In answer to Mr Nolan鈥檚 question, the caller said 鈥淭he reason we鈥檝e got so many problems in this Government is because the present Government is under the control of Tel Aviv, under the control of Zionists. They鈥檙e not able to make any proper decisions that would do anything to help this country, they鈥檙e too busy helping Tel Aviv, the Zionists in Tel Aviv鈥. The ECU agreed that, on the face of it, the caller鈥檚 answer fitted the listener鈥檚 description 鈥 and, even allowing for the possibility that there was some other explanation for her remarks, the ECU considered that the offensiveness inherent in the more obvious explanation called for comment by Mr Nolan. The complaint was upheld in that respect. However, the ECU did not agree that the studio guest鈥檚 comment that the caller was 鈥渙nto something鈥 in expressing a preference for Mr Corbyn amounted to an endorsement of the view expressed in her answer, because he went on to explain what he meant by reference to aspects of Mr Corbyn鈥檚 policies which explained his continuing appeal to some Labour voters, such as supporting working class communities, introducing a wealth tax and investing in public services. This aspect of the complaint was not upheld.
Partly upheld
Further action
The finding was reported to the management of 91福利社 News and discussed with the editorial team concerned.