Complaint
A listener complained of an “a²Ô³Ù¾±-°Õ°ù³Ü³¾±è†and “a²Ô³Ù¾±-°ä´Ç²Ô²õ±ð°ù±¹²¹³Ù¾±±¹±ð†bias in a discussion about the US Presidential election.  The ECU considered whether the broadcast met the editorial standards for impartiality set out in the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Editorial Guidelines.
Outcome
The discussion included a reference to rhetoric deployed against Kamala Harris and other female politicians by Donald Trump, and his Vice-Presidential nominee, J D Vance.  One of the guests, a US Correspondent for The Business Post, objected to the language used by people she described as “angry white menâ€. In the ECU’s view the journalist was entitled to express her opinions when questioned.  Talkback has featured supporters of Mr Trump in the past and the idea that some female voters might not vote for Mr Trump because of the language he used had been a continuing subject of debate. There was no requirement for the comments to be parried by a supporter of Mr Trump for due impartiality to be maintained.
Not Upheld