Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
India

BBC Reverses Ruling Against Indian-Origin Journalist Naga Munchetty For Anti-Trump's Remarks

Darpan News Desk IANS, 01 Oct, 2019 07:55 PM

    Amid mounting pressure from leading media personalities in the UK, the BBC reversed a ruling which had partially upheld a complaint against its flagship news show presenter, Naga Munchetty, after she criticised comments made by US President Donald Trump as racist on air.


    Indian-origin Naga Munchetty, who regularly fronts the ''BBC Breakfast'' news show on UK television had attracted widespread support from different sections of the media as well as an online petition which called on the BBC to review its decision that concluded she had broken strict impartiality guidelines.


    "In this instance, I don't think Naga's words were sufficient to merit a partial uphold of the complaint around the comments she made. There was never any sanction against Naga and I hope this step makes that absolutely clear," said BBC director-general Lord Tony Hall after a personal review of the Editorial Complaints Unit (ECU) verdict from last week.


    In an email to BBC staff on Monday, he said: "Many of you asked that I personally review the decision of the ECU. I have done so. I have looked carefully at all the arguments that have been made and assessed all of the materials."


    "I have also examined the complaint itself. It was only ever in a limited way that there was found to be a breach of our guidelines. These are often finely balanced and difficult judgements."


    Tony Hall went on to praise Naga Munchetty as an "exceptional" journalist and said that he has asked editorial and leadership teams "to discuss how we manage live exchanges on air around these topics in the future".

    Naga Munchetty was embroiled in a row following a conversation with her co-host on air in July after Donald Trump tweeted that certain female members of the Democrat Party should "go back to their own countries".


    The 44-year-old broadcaster said: "Every time I have been told, as a woman of colour, to go back to where I came from, that was embedded in racism. Now, I am not accusing anyone of anything here, but you know what certain phrases mean."


    The BBC's original ruling which said her comments "went beyond what the guidelines allow for" sparked a petition to overturn the ruling, which hit over 35,000 signatures.


    The original complaint came from a member of the public, who had alleged political bias from both presenters. The BBC had originally attempted to defend the ECU's decision but was forced into a U-turn amid growing criticism.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Process To Distribute Free Smartphones In Punjab To Start In December

    Process To Distribute Free Smartphones In Punjab To Start In December
    The Punjab government had announced its ''Mobile Phones to the Youth'' scheme, in line with its poll promise, in its budget for the financial year 2017-18.  

    Process To Distribute Free Smartphones In Punjab To Start In December

    After 2011 Mumbai Blasts, Manmohan Mulled Hitting Pakistan: David Cameron

    After 2011 Mumbai Blasts, Manmohan Mulled Hitting Pakistan: David Cameron
    According to extracts of the 752-page book, published by HarperCollins, Cameron says: "I got on well with PM Manmohan Singh. He was a saintly man, but he was robust on the threats India faced.

    After 2011 Mumbai Blasts, Manmohan Mulled Hitting Pakistan: David Cameron

    Taj Under Full Moon To Attract Many More Visitors

    Come the next full moon in October, many more Taj Mahal lovers will be able to view the iconic 17th century monument to eternal love from a spot across the Yamuna river that has been newly developed by the authorities.    

    Taj Under Full Moon To Attract Many More Visitors

    Super 30 Founder Anand Kumar Felicitated With Education Excellence Award 2019 In US

    Anand Kumar has been running a highly innovative Super 30 programme for the last 18 years to mentor 30 students free of cost through a year-long residential coaching for India's premiere IIT-JEE.

    Super 30 Founder Anand Kumar Felicitated With Education Excellence Award 2019 In US

    Pakistan Refuses Overflight To PM Modi's Plane

    Pakistan on Wednesday refused to grant overflight to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft due to India's removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

    Pakistan Refuses Overflight To PM Modi's Plane

    Ayodhya Case: SC Says Hindus Prayed To 'Central Dome' For Its Divinity

    The Supreme Court on Wednesday told the Muslim parties that Hindus may have attached divinity to the central dome at the disputed structure in Ayodhya, and that they prayed to it.

    Ayodhya Case: SC Says Hindus Prayed To 'Central Dome' For Its Divinity