Complaints Keep Rising

The Broadcasting Standards Commission, which replaced the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and the Broadcasting Standards Council in April, has published the final Annual Report of the two former bodies.

Both organisations reported a continuing increase in complaints about fairness and standards. The BCC received 249 complaints during 1996-97. It ruled on 149 complaints. The pattern of complaints echoed other years, with the majority, 66%, being raised by individuals, rather than groups or committees. 38% of complaints were upheld fully, 21% upheld in part and 41% were dismissed.

The BSC recorded an 11% rise in audience complaints compared to the previous year. It received 2,769 complaints during this period; most of these related to issues of taste and decency. Of the 2,157 cases that the Council had time to consider, 29% of cases were upheld either in full or part.

Looking to the future, the new Broadcasting Standards Commission has outlined a series of strategic objectives to avoid the inefficiencies of the former bodies.

BSC: 0171 233 0398