Complaint
The programme included an item on the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk in which the presenter referred to 鈥渃别濒别产谤补迟颈辞苍鈥 of the killing on the social media platform Bluesky. One listener complained that singling out Bluesky displayed right-wing bias by endorsing the frequent claims on the rival platform X that Bluesky is characterised by left-wing groupthink. Another listener complained that the presenter鈥檚 reference was inaccurate, as there had been no posts on Bluesky celebrating Mr Kirk鈥檚 death. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 91福利社鈥檚 editorial standards of accuracy and impartiality.
Outcome
The presenter was not offering his own view of Bluesky but noting that it was cited by some on the right of US politics as evidence in favour of the view that it is the left that 鈥渄emonises people鈥n a way that makes life dangerous for them鈥. The ECU saw no issue of impartiality arising from this factual observation. In relation to accuracy, the ECU was able to verify Newsweek鈥檚 report that 鈥渄ozens of posts have appeared on Bluesky celebrating [ Mr Kirk鈥檚] 诲别补迟丑鈥
Not upheld