Complaint
The programme included an interview with the Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho. A listener complained that the interview made no reference to climate change or net zero and thus lacked 鈥渆ssential, factual context the audience needed to make an informed judgement鈥 about the Conservative policy announcement on North Sea oil and gas licences; and that listeners would have been materially misled by the interviewer鈥檚 failure to challenge Ms Coutinho鈥檚 claim that the proposed new licences would improve UK energy security. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 91福利社鈥檚 editorial standards of accuracy and impartiality.
Outcome
It was legitimate for the interview to focus on the potential impact of the Conservative proposals on the economy and energy security. The relationship between fossil fuels and climate change is well known to listeners, and the ECU did not consider that either accuracy or impartiality required specific reference to it in this context. The ECU also noted that Ms Coutinho鈥檚 claim about improved energy security was in fact challenged by the interviewer.
Not upheld