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Ofcom rejects complaints over Sky News election coverage
Mark Sweney guardian.co.uk, Monday 5 July 2010
DATELINE: 7/7/10
The media regulator Ofcom has dismissed almost 2,800 complaints about Sky News's coverage of the general election. Viewers had objected to Adam Boulton's treatment of the Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg, and his on-screen clash with the former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell, as well as Kay Burley's interview with an electoral reformist.
Boulton, the Sky News political editor, attracted 1,787 complaints. A total of 671 viewers complained about an interview between Boulton and Campbell on Monday 10 May. Most of the complainants objected to what they viewed as unprofessional behaviour by Boulton, who appeared to lose his temper after Campbell accused him of being "upset that David Cameron is not prime minister".
"Two well-known personalities from the worlds of politics and journalism were taking part in a debate about a matter of topical and serious concern," said Ofcom. "We considered that although the tone and content of this exchange was unusual, it would not have been beyond the likely expectations of the audience for this channel."
Ofcom also dismissed 1,116 complaints about Boulton allegedly "heckling" Clegg about his expenses during the second leaders' debate, which was hosted by Sky News.
The media regulator also dismissed 1,008 complaints about Burley's interview with electoral reformist David Babbs on 8 May.
Burley's interview with Babbs, from the electoral reform campaigning group 38 Degrees, attracted complaints of bias and aggressive behaviour. The interview resulted in Burley being heckled by protesters while she was broadcasting live from College Green in Westminster, with chants of "sack Kay Burley". The incident also sparked a Twitter campaign.
"Although we appreciate why some viewers might have been frustrated by the presenter's approach we believe that David Babbs was, overall, able to put his point across," said Ofcom. "In particular, we noted that even during the parts of the interview where Kay Burley was repeatedly interrupting David Babbs, the interviewee was still able to get some points across to a limited degree".
Last modified: Wednesday, July 7, 2010
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