BBC presenter breaks rules over facial expression regarding 'pregnant people'

Martina Croxall was reading a news story about research into groups most at risk during heatwaves in the UK, citing a statement from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)

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Photo: BBC
Photo: BBC
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Ema Saunders

BBC culture

The BBC has confirmed it has received 20 impartiality complaints over the way presenter Martina Croxall edited a text she read live on BBC News, which referred to "pregnant people" earlier this year.

Croxall was reading a news story about research into groups most at risk during heatwaves in the UK, citing a statement from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

The anchor changed the text of the news and said "women" instead of "pregnant people".

"Malcolm Mistry, who was part of the research, says that older people, pregnant people... women...

"... and people with existing health problems must take precautions," she said BBC presenter, changing the text and slightly bulging her eyes.

The BBC's Complaints Unit (ECU) said it took into account her facial expression because it gave "a strong impression of expressing a personal view on a controversial issue".

ECU said it believes Martina Croxall's facial expression opens up the possibility of interpretation that it "indicates a particular point of view in the controversies currently surrounding transgender identity."

After the introductory presentation, Dr. Mistry, associate professor at LSHTM, spoke on the topic and mentioned - pregnant women.

The ECU said that the presenter's facial expression, after she said "pregnant people", was "variously interpreted by complainants as showing disgust, mockery, contempt or indignation".

"The congratulations Croxall later received on social media, along with critical views expressed in complaints to the BBC and elsewhere, somewhat confirmed the impression that she was expressing a personal view," it added.

The author of the Harry Potter series of books, J.K. Rowling, was among those who praised Kroksal.

ECU noted that the explanation offered by BBC News management was that "Croxall was reacting to the text, which somewhat awkwardly included phrases from the research statement, such as 'old person', which is not BBC style, and 'pregnant person', which did not match what Dr Mistry said in the subsequent recording."

It explained that "giving a strong impression of expressing a personal view on a controversial issue, even if unintentional, does not meet the BBC's expectations of its presenters and journalists regarding impartiality", and that "the ECU upheld the complaints".

The finding was reported to BBC News management and discussed with Croxall and the relevant editorial team.

The BBC is 2022. announced that Croxall's comments, made during a press briefing shortly after former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would not return as Conservative leader, breached impartiality rules.

Her "remarks and reactions increased the risk that the public might think that opinions were being expressed about the Conservative leadership contest," the BBC said.

Correction: The text of the article originally stated that the ECU found that Martina Croxall’s facial expression while speaking expressed “a controversial view on trans people.” This has been amended to clarify that instead it was found that her facial expression gave “a strong impression of expressing a personal view on a controversial issue.” The text also misquoted the ruling as referring to “trans ideology,” and has been amended to correctly refer to “trans identity.”

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