Journalistic principles

Balance:

Balance is paramount in order to give readers and audiences a rounded picture of the facts. Here we analyse whether there is sufficient balance in journalists’ coverage, particularly:

Imbalance of views
Inaccurate weighing of facts and information
Under-representation of a significant strand of thought

We also examine whether, post-publication, the right of reply has been offered within an appropriate timeframe.

Imbalance of views
The media must present a balance of views and provide roughly equal time and thoroughness to presenting the arguments of both sides of an issue. Presenting only one perspective or giving one side a better opportunity to state his case may be evidence of bias towards that side. For example, when the critical views of Oxfam, the European Commission, the World Bank and the United Nations were set out in an article about Israeli sanctions on the West Bank and Gaza, but no Israeli spokesperson was quoted, and the Israeli viewpoint was absent from the article, there was a clear imbalance of views.

Inaccurate weighing of facts and information
All facts and information should be weighed accurately to reach a logical conclusion. For example, when a journalist states that the leader of Hizbollah, “will never recognise an Israel whose borders are in constant expansion” this is an inaccurate weighing of the facts as Hassan Nassrallah does not accept Israel within any borders.

Under-representation of a significant strand of thought
A broad range of views should be represented and no single view should be over-represented. For example, an article about the formation of the State of Israel which draws almost exclusively on sources from the revisionist school of thought, would under-represent other approaches.

Key quotes:

“We must ensure we avoid bias or an imbalance of views on controversial subjects.”
BBC Editorial Guidelines

“We will weigh all relevant facts and information to get at the truth”
BBC Editorial Guidelines

“We strive to reflect a wide range of opinion and explore a range and conflict of views so that no significant strand of thought is knowingly unreflected or under represented.”
BBC Editorial Guidelines

“Broadcasters should not give undue prominence to the views and opinions of particular persons or bodies on matters of political or industrial controversy and matters relating to current public policy.”
OFCOM Broadcasting Code, Section 5.13

“We must ensure a wide range of significant views and perspectives are given due weight in the period during which a controversial subject is active”
BBC Editorial Guidelines