Overview
- The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit upheld 20 viewer complaints, ruling that Martine Croxall’s delivery gave the strong impression of a personal view on a contentious topic.
- During a June broadcast, Croxall changed the on-screen wording from “pregnant people” to “women” while introducing research from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine featuring Dr Malcolm Mistry.
- The ECU cited her facial expression—interpreted by complainants as exasperation or similar—as key to the finding and noted that congratulatory social-media posts, including praise from J.K. Rowling, reinforced the impression of partiality.
- BBC News managers told the ECU she was reacting to clumsily written scripting that lifted phrases from a press release, including “the aged” and “pregnant people.”
- The finding was reported to BBC News management and discussed with Croxall and the editorial team, intensifying debate over language, impartiality rules and the corporation’s handling of trans-related coverage.