29. May 2009
Tibet complaint against Radio 4 upheld
(pressgazette) The BBC Trust has ruled that Radio 4's Today programme breached impartiality guidelines when it interviewed an academic about Tibet without mentioning his political affiliation. Professor Barry Sautman of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology appeared on Radio 4's flagship morning news programme in March 2008 to discuss the demonstrations taking place in Tibet. One listener complained that Sautman, who is unsympathetic to the Tibetan independence movement, was introduced only by his name and university, and it had not been made clear what his political stance was. The BBC's editorial guidelines state: "We should not automatically assume that academics and journalists from other organisations are impartial and make it clear to our audience when contributors are associated with a particular viewpoint". The Trust said that although Sautman was a credible interviewee, it still upheld the complaint, agreeing that Sautman's political views should have been mentioned when he was introduced.