BBC
publishes latest Programme Complaints Unit findings
The
BBC today (Wednesday 4 February 2004) publishes the latest findings
of the Programme Complaints Unit (PCU) for the period 1 October
to 31 December 2003.
In
this quarter the unit dealt with a total of 342 complaints concerning
231 items.
55
complaints were upheld (15 of them partly) - 16% of the total number
of complaints received.
Of
the items investigated, complaints were upheld against 31 items
- 13.5% of the total number of complaints received.
The
PCU report contains summaries of the findings in those cases.
In
his foreword Mark Byford, Acting Director-General, said he had been
asked in December 2003 to take on special responsibility for editorial
standards - a responsibility he would retain in his new role.
He
said: "It falls to me to take forward the BBC's review of complaints
handling, and that will mean changes in many areas of the BBC.
"But,
however we decide to reorganise our systems, what will not change
is the principle on which the Programme Complaints Unit has always
been based - a provision for independent investigation of serious
editorial complaints."
Notes
to Editors
Programme
Complaints Unit bulletin
The
Programme Complaints Unit deals with letters of complaint which
give reason to believe that something broadcast by the BBC's licence
fee-funded services may have fallen seriously short of the standards
set out in the BBC
Producers' Guidelines.
Complaints
about other matters, such as policy, changes to the published schedule,
technical standards or questions of personal preference, are forwarded
to the appropriate areas of the BBC for attention.
The
unit is commissioned to investigate complaints impartially and to
recommend appropriate redress.
Generally
this involves viewing or listening to a recording of the material
and pursuing the complainants' points with the programme-makers
and editorial executives directly responsible.
Related
release
BBC
Governors publish latest Programme Complaints Committee findings
(04.02.04)
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