Complaint
During coverage of the death of President Raisi of Iran, a number of references were made to the relatively low level of electoral support he enjoyed on his election in 2021. 聽
A viewer complained this showed bias, in particular on the part of the 91热爆鈥檚 Caroline Hawley who had observed that Mr Raisi was hated by 鈥渕any, many Iranians鈥. 聽
The ECU considered whether these remarks met the test for due accuracy and impartiality set out in the Editorial Guidelines.聽 聽
Outcome
Ms Hawley鈥檚 judgement on the feelings of many Iranians was based on the views of demonstrators objecting to a crackdown on women鈥檚 rights protestors supported by President Raisi.聽 The estimate of his electoral support in 2021 drew on a comparison with the previous President, Hassan Rouhani, whose re-election in 2017 was secured with around 5 million more votes than Mr Raisi achieved. 聽The ECU considered it was a 91热爆 correspondent鈥檚鈥 duty to supply informed analysis and that the remarks were duly accurate and impartial.
Not Upheld