BBC upholds complaint against Today presenter Justin Webb for calling trans women ‘males’
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The BBC has recently found itself in hot water after upholding a complaint against one of their presenters, Justin Webb, for making controversial comments about transgender women. This incident occurred during a discussion on the Today Programme in August, when Webb referred to transgender women as “males.”
The controversy arose when Webb was discussing a policy change by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) that essentially banned transgender women from competitions. In response to this news, Webb made the statement: “Trans women, in other words: males.” This comment sparked outrage from listeners, who felt that Webb’s words were not only inaccurate but also breached the BBC’s impartiality rules.
Following a complaint from a listener, the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) conducted an investigation into the matter. The ECU ultimately agreed that Webb’s comment did indeed breach requirements on impartiality. While they acknowledged that Webb’s intention may have been to highlight the question raised by the FIDE guidelines, they noted that his phrasing did not convey an entirely accurate impression.
In a statement released by the ECU, they stated: “In relation to impartiality, the ECU considered it could only be understood by listeners as meaning that trans women remain male, without qualification as to gender or biological sex, and that, even if unintentional, it gave the impression of endorsing one viewpoint in a highly controversial area. It therefore upheld this aspect of the complaint.”
This is not the first time that Webb has come under fire for his comments about transgender issues. In February 2022, a complaint against him was partially upheld after he made controversial statements about gender-critical academic Kathleen Stock. In that instance, Webb had claimed that Stock had been falsely accused of transphobia, sparking further complaints from listeners.
Webb’s track record on transgender issues has also raised concerns among critics. In one instance, he asked Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey if there should be spaces where biological males cannot go, referencing trans women. Additionally, he came under fire for comparing transgender comedian Jordan Gray’s performance on Channel 4 to instances of flashing offenses, including by convicted former police officer Wayne Couzens.
Overall, the BBC’s decision to uphold the complaint against Justin Webb highlights the importance of maintaining impartiality and accuracy in reporting on sensitive topics like transgender issues. As a public broadcaster, the BBC must ensure that its presenters adhere to strict standards of journalism and avoid making statements that could be perceived as biased or inflammatory. This incident serves as a reminder of the need for responsible and respectful reporting on all matters, especially those concerning marginalized communities.
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