Complaint
In this edition, Victoria Derbyshire interviewed Tucker Carlson about his opposition to American and Israeli military action against Iran and the criticism he has faced as a result, including allegations of antisemitism, and referred to remarks made by Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Randy Fine, both of whom had publicly accused Mr Carlson of antisemitism. Five viewers complained that the reference to Congressman Fine was tendentious and inappropriate in the light of controversial comments he had made about Muslims and Palestinians, which were not mentioned in the item. The ECU considered whether the programme met the BBC’s editorial standards of impartiality.
Outcome
In the ECU’s view Ms Derbyshire was testing Mr Carlson’s claim he had unfairly been labelled antisemitic. S he put specific criticisms to him which have been made by identifiable figures from his political sphere, clearly attributed Mr Fine’s allegation and gave Mr Carlson an appropriate opportunity to respond. There was no sense in which Ms Derbyshire was endorsing what Mr Carlson’s critics had said and no sense she was presenting either as an authoritative voice. Mr Carlson gave his own assessment of Mr Cruz and Mr Fine, so viewers were able to draw their own conclusions about what was said on both sides of the debate.
Not Upheld
