Overview
- Twenty viewer complaints were upheld after the Executive Complaints Unit found Croxall’s facial expression during the wording change could be read as indicating a stance on trans identity.
- BBC News management has discussed the finding with Croxall and the editorial team, and she returned to present on the BBC News channel on Friday after posting a studio selfie on X.
- The June segment introduced London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine research; the autocue used “pregnant people,” and Dr Malcolm Mistry later referred to “pregnant women” in the interview.
- The ECU noted that reactions on social media, including praise from J.K. Rowling, reinforced the perception that Croxall conveyed a personal view, even if inadvertently.
- The ruling follows an initial internal defense citing clumsy scripting and comes as the BBC faces renewed scrutiny over trans-related coverage, with a reported dossier alleging bias; Croxall previously had a 2022 impartiality breach.