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2.1 Introduction

Impartiality is fundamental to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's purpose and is enshrined in the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Charter. It means not favouring one side over another and reflecting all relevant sides of the debate. It means not taking sides, reflecting all relevant strands of public debate and challenging them with consistent rigour. Impartiality is key to a relationship of trust with audiences, that they know the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not being influenced by any personal or other agenda in what it chooses to broadcast or publish or in how it covers stories and that it seeks to include a wide range of views on any given topic.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is committed to achieving due impartiality in all its output. The term 'due impartiality' means adequate and appropriate to the output, taking account of the subject and nature of the content, the likely audience expectation, and any signposting that may influence that expectation.^[1]

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ needs to be able to portray and include the full range of interests and views across all the audiences it serves. Those views and interests should be reflected fairly and accurately, and the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ should not be seen to be promoting or revealing opinions of its own. A key way to do this is in being fact and evidence based, holding authorities and others to account, on behalf of the public, for what they say and do. Applying impartiality effectively in the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ’s output requires discussion and judgement to get it right; it may mean being transparent in explaining how impartiality is achieved on behalf of all audiences and correcting quickly anything which is wrong.

Impartiality will always rest on good judgement, rather than any mathematical formula; it contains many elements, such as 'accuracy', 'fairness', 'objectivity', 'open-mindedness' and it always takes account of context. It usually involves more than a simple matter of 'balance'; between opposing viewpoints and does not prevent objective judgements being made, based on evidence.

Impartiality does not mean detachment from fundamental democratic values, including freedom of expression, the right to vote, the rule of law and freedom from discrimination. However, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ must still be impartial on the related debates or controversies, on any consequent policies or choices and on the actual implementation of these values.

Audiences expect the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's news and current affairs and factual journalism output to meet the highest levels of impartiality and accuracy. References in the Guidelines to factual journalism output relate to content that is produced outside news and current affairs which is journalistic in nature.

Just as important as the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's content are the words and behaviours of all the people who represent the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ. External activities and public expressions of opinion, including on social media, may affect perceptions of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's impartiality as much as its output. This will apply differently according to genre and role; consequently, this section should be read in conjunction with Section 4: Conflicts of Interest and Section 10: Politics and Public Policy, as well as the guidance on Impartiality and the guidance on Personal Use of Social Media.

2.2 Principles

2.2.1 The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is committed to achieving due impartiality in all its output.

2.2.2 The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's impartiality incorporates the principles of a democratic society; it is not separate from its values.

2.2.3 The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is committed to reflecting a wide range of subject matter and perspectives across its output as a whole and over an appropriate timeframe so that no significant strand of thought is under-represented or omitted. On occasion, that will include attitudes and opinions which some may find unpalatable or offensive.

2.2.4 The highest level of impartiality is required in news and journalism in all its forms, giving due weight to events, opinion and the main strands of argument.

2.2.5 The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ may exercise its editorial freedom to produce content about any subject, at any point on the spectrum of debate, as long as there are good editorial reasons for doing so.

2.2.6 Achieving impartiality does not preclude making evidence-based judgements or making an editorial judgement to focus scrutiny on a particular position.

2.2.7 There is no requirement to give all views equal weight – false equivalence does not achieve impartiality and should be avoided. Minority views or those less supported by evidence, do not need to be given similar prominence or weight to those with more support, to the prevailing consensus, or to those better evidenced.^[2]

2.2.8 The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's output should take account of the different political cultures and structures across the UK and the distinct views of some communities and sections of society. It should recognise when main strands of argument differ, especially in the Nations and English Regions, giving them due weight and prominence in UK-wide output.

2.2.9 Audiences expect artists, writers and entertainers to have freedom to explore subjects from a particular perspective and to create content that reflects their own distinctive voice. It must be clear to audiences where personal views are being expressed.

2.2.10 Where ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ content highlights issues on which others campaign, care must be taken to avoid endorsing those campaigns, or allowing the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ to be seen as campaigning to change public policy. But this should not prevent output highlighting issues and offering audiences information and choices about how to understand and relate to them.

2.3 Mandatory Referrals

Referrals to Chief Adviser Politics

2.3.1 Exceptionally, there may be circumstances where an individual programme or other ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ content, such as a personal view documentary or a drama, which is not part of a series or long-running or continuous output, may include the expression of a particular or singular view on a 'controversial subject', current public policy or a political issue. Any such proposal must be referred to Chief Adviser Politics to ensure it still meets the requirements of due impartiality.

(See 2.4.30)

2.3.2 Chief Adviser Politics must be consulted in advance of any proposal to invite a politician to take part in output which would not normally include politicians, political opinions or 'controversial issues', irrespective of whether the proposed contribution is itself 'political'. Any offer from a politician to take part in such output must also be referred before it is either accepted or declined.

(See 2.4.31)

(See Section 10 Politics and Public Policy: 10.4.3-10.4.5)

Other Referrals

2.3.3 Any individual in a role requiring impartiality^[3] who is intending to express opinions publicly on matters of current public policy, politics or any controversial issue, or taking part in political activity, must inform their line manager in advance, who should consult Chief Adviser Politics if there is a risk to impartiality, or the perception of impartiality.

(See 2.4.14)

(See Section 4 Conflicts of Interest: 4.4.13-4.4.20)

2.3.4 Any individual who intends to seek nomination as a party candidate for election at national or local level, or intends declaring publicly their independent candidacy, must notify their line manager in advance, who should then consult Chief Adviser Politics before the intention is made public.

(See 2.4.14)

(See Section 4 Conflicts of Interest: 4.4.21-4.4.23)

2.3.5 Unless it is a professional responsibility, any individuals commenting publicly – such as on social media – on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ matters, stories about the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, or issues concerning other broadcasters or broadcasting policy, must consult their line manager in advance.

(See 2.4.15)

2.3.6 There are some views and language which may cause serious offence, but a failure to reflect them could have implications for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's impartiality; if there is a risk either of causing serious offence or jeopardising impartiality, referral must be made to a senior editorial figure, who should consult Editorial Policy.

(See 2.4.16)

(See Section 5 Harm and Offence: 5.4.24-5.4.36)

2.3.7 When commissioning drama, entertainment or cultural output covering matters of current public policy, political or industrial controversy, or other 'controversial subjects', Editorial Policy must be consulted in advance.

(See 2.4.33)

2.3.8 A senior editorial figure must be responsible and accountable for overseeing the deployment and continuing use of any Artificial Intelligence (AI). They should seek advice from Editorial Policy, who may consult the AI Risk Advisory Group, before any decision to deploy the AI.

For independent production companies any proposed use of AI, where there may be a material impact on audience-facing content, should be discussed as part of the commissioning process. A senior editorial figure, who is responsible for compliance within the production team, should be responsible and accountable for its use of AI.

(See 2.4.19)

• [1] The section of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code that relates to this is . However, Rule 5.13 of Undue Prominence of Views and Opinions does not apply to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ. â†©
• [2] For information about impartiality during referendums and elections, see Section 10: Politics and Public Policy. â†©
• [3] Guidance: Personal Use of Social Media. â†©