EndOfDays
Well-Known Member
Received this complaint response from BBC re their reporting of the Tav fan incident, specifically the wording "The two then laid hands on each other", needless to say I have escalated to stage 2 of the process.
For reference this is BBC London's reporting of the Smalling incident (notice no pixalation) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47515481
Thank you for contacting us regarding our reporting of the individual who confronted Rangers captain James Tavernier at Easter Road on 8 March.
We have received a range of feedback about our coverage of this story across TV, radio and online. Keeping in mind pressures on licence fee resources, this response seeks to address the key points raised. That said, we apologise in advance if any of your points haven’t been specifically addressed here.
The words used in our reporting – “The two then laid hands on each other before the fan was led away by police”; for example – were very carefully chosen, to be as neutral as possible, given the need for care with the possibility of legal action as a result of what transpired in the incident in question.
This approach was very much in line with that of most newspapers also covering this story, and also explains why we took steps to pixelate the face of the individual concerned and withheld his name.
Had the incident involved another team, our approach would’ve been the same. And we don’t agree with the view that this reporting, or the way it was edited, in any way suggested that James Tavernier shared any blame for the confrontation, or that it was indicative of bias against Rangers FC.
For reference this is BBC London's reporting of the Smalling incident (notice no pixalation) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47515481
A fan ran on to the pitch and shoved Manchester United defender Chris Smalling during his side's away match against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
The incident happened shortly after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had converted a 69th-minute penalty to give the Gunners a 2-0 lead against United.
After pushing Smalling, the man ran with his arms aloft towards the Gunners players celebrating their goal.
Smalling was unhurt and the fan was taken off the pitch and arrested.