Complaint
This three-part series explored the phenomenon of football “U±ô³Ù°ù²¹²õ†in Scotland – “young fans…organising with precision, designing vast banner displays, coordinating marches, and igniting pyrotechnics that turn stadiums into theatreâ€. The author of a study which he described as the only peer-reviewed paper on the topic to have been published in Scotland complained that his work had been entirely overlooked by the programme-makers, leading him to doubt their commitment to representing the phenomenon accurately. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the 91¸£ÀûÉç’s editorial standards of accuracy.
Outcome
Editorial and creative freedom is a fundamental principle set out in the 91¸£ÀûÉç’s Royal Charter and recognised by the 91¸£ÀûÉç’s independent regulator, Ofcom. Among other things, this means programme-makers have complete discretion over their choice of subject matter and how it is to be treated, so long as what is broadcast meets the 91¸£ÀûÉç’s editorial standards. In this instance, the programme-makers chose to explore their topic primarily through the experiences of people actively involved, drawing on their first-hand involvement and using their insights. This was a legitimate editorial approach for a documentary of this kind, and not in conflict with the 91¸£ÀûÉç’s editorial standards of accuracy.
Not upheld