Ofcom criticises BBC over 'lack of transparency' in Naga Munchetty case: 'Serious concerns'

Ofcom has criticised the BBC over its handling of the ruling against Naga Munchetty which declared she had breached impartiality guidelines. The decision was subsequently reversed.

The BBC's Executive Complaints Unit had originally ruled that BBC Breakfast host Munchetty was in breach of corporation guidelines after implying tweets of US President Donald Trump's which told four Congresswomen to "go back" to “places from which they came” were "embedded in racism".

However, the decision was later overturned by the BBC's director-general Lord Tony Hall following significant backlash which saw stars including Sir Lenny Henry and Adrian Lester put their names to a letter denouncing the ruling.

Read more: Naga Munchetty praised by drag performer on BBC Breakfast for 'calling out racism'

Now, Ofcom has ruled that the specific case does not warrant investigation as it did not breach their broadcasting rules but blasted the BBC's "lack of transparency" which would be addressed as a “matter of urgency”.

Kevin Bakhurst, Ofcom's Group Director for Content and Media Policy said: “We have serious concerns around the transparency of the BBC’s complaints process, which must command the confidence of the public.

"We’ll be requiring the BBC to be more transparent about its processes and compliance findings as a matter of urgency.”

After detailing how Ofcom believed some of the public concern about the case rose from lack of transparency, the report went on to note: "The BBC ECU has not published the full reasoning for its partially upheld finding.

"Neither has the BBC published any further reasoning for the director-general's decision to overturn that finding."

In response, a BBC spokesperson said: “We note Ofcom’s finding and the fact they agree with the director-general’s decision.”