The BBC apologised to viewers after many took offence to a comment made by BBC Breakfast host Sally Nugent.
The presenter was introducing an item on the Dambusters Raid when she described the event as “infamous”.
Viewers were angered by the use of the word, which is commonly associated with negative events in history, and accused her of disrespecting the raid.
Introducing the piece on live TV, the host said: “Eighty years after 19 Lancaster bombers took part in the infamous Dambusters Raid, tonight a special anniversary flypast will take place over Lincolnshire."
In a later introduction of the item, the raid was referred to as “famous”.
A correction on the BBC’s complaints website apologised for the mix-up.
It said: “When highlighting what was coming up on the programme, we did inadvertently refer to the Dambusters Raid as 'infamous'. Later, when the main item aired, we referred to the 'famous' raid. In live programmes, such as Breakfast, errors do occasionally slip through, and we're sorry for this mistake, and any offence caused."
The comment was also assessed by the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit who said the “original broadcast was not duly accurate”, but noted there were “no breach of the guidelines on impartiality.”
It added that it felt the apology was “sufficient to resolve the issue without the need for further action by BBC management".
The ECU statement reads: “"The ECU assessed the complaint against the standards for due accuracy and impartiality set out in the BBC editorial guidelines The ECU agreed the original broadcast was not duly accurate.
"Though the raid is not without its critics, the use of the word 'infamous', with its strongly negative connotations, was not appropriate. But the ECU found no evidence the phrase was deliberately chosen for its adverse implications, rather than being used inadvertently, or that it reflected the presenter's personal view.
"There was therefore no breach of the guidelines on impartiality."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel