The Complainant argued that the Respondent Broadcaster did not broadcast a balanced news item
as to the trial of the accused. It was, according to the argument, not balanced because it omitted to broadcast the view of an expert witness, who denied that the stress of the children indecently assaulted by the accused, had been caused by the accused.
The BCCSA held that the Respondent was not subject to a duty to have broadcast this aspect of the trial. If it had done so, it would have had to include the negative report of another witness and also the details of the assault. This was not in the public interest, since the privacy of the persons assaulted would, once again, be invaded upon and, in this case, to the viewing public at large. The headmaster’s positive evidence regarding the accused was included and that countered the item which referred to dissatisfied parents.
Complaint not upheld.