Overview
- The Executive Complaints Unit upheld 20 viewer complaints, finding that Martine Croxall breached impartiality by giving a strong impression of a personal view.
- The June incident occurred as she introduced research on heatwave risks and changed 'pregnant people' to 'women' while making a visible reaction.
- BBC News management told the ECU her reaction reflected exasperation at clumsy scripting, including the phrase 'the aged' and wording that did not match the following clip, yet the unit still ruled a breach.
- The clip went viral and drew praise from J.K. Rowling, and the ECU said the social media reaction reinforced the perception that she had expressed a view.
- Deadline reported the BBC initially dismissed complaints as a clarity edit compliant with guidelines before escalation, and the ruling arrives during broader scrutiny of the corporation’s approach to trans-related coverage.