BBC INVESTIGATE SERIOUS COMPLAINTS

THE BBC Programme Complaints Bulletin, published on July 27, underlines the BBC's commitment to investigating serious complaints independently of the interests of programme makers.
It is a necessary part of the BBC’s accountability, according to the BBC’s Chairman Sir Christopher Bland.
Bland said: "Viewers and listeners must not only know that they can bring their concerns to us when they feel that BBC programmes have overstepped the mark, they must see that something will be done about it. It is also good for BBC programme-makers to know when standards are not as high as they should be, and to recognise that the work of the Programme Complaints Unit is about the BBC's commitment to the highest standards of public service broadcasting."
Sir Christopher said the BBC Governors had a specific responsibility for ensuring that the BBC maintains high editorial standards and that, despite a number of controversial programmes, ranging from ‘Care’, ‘Rebel Heart’, ‘Last Resort’ to ‘Panorama’ on the Omagh bombing and ‘Newsnight’ on family sexual abuse, the Corporation had met the standards expected of them.
Sir Christopher thanked programme-makers for their high level of co-operation in the process of investigating complaints. He said: "The BBC’s willingness to listen to criticism and acknowledge mistakes is an active demonstration of its real commitment to the standards audiences expect."
In his report, BBC Director-General Greg Dyke, said: "The BBC expects a very high standard of accuracy - and rightly, because it’s one of the fundamentals of journalism."
Mr Dyke re-emphasised that the use of surreptitious filming needs to be carefully considered in advance.
The Governors’ Programme Complaints Committee considered seven appeals. One was upheld and six were not upheld. (CD)