Ofcom partially upholds police watchdog complaint about BBC's Chris Kaba doc

Ofcom partially upholds police watchdog complaint about BBC's Chris Kaba docJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePaul GlynnPA MediaChris Kaba was shot by a police officer in September 2022Broadcast regulator Ofcom has partially upheld a complaint from the police watchdog over a Panorama episode about the shooting of Chris Kaba.The documentary included claims by Sal Naseem, a former London regional director for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), that a murder investigation into the police officer who shot Kaba had been launched amid pressure over potential public disorder.The IOPC denied the claim and objected after its statement was not included in the initial broadcast, and the BBC refused to make a public apology.Kaba was shot by police officer Martyn Blake after trying to ram his car past police cars in Streatham in September 2022.The IOPC launched a murder investigation four days after Mr Kaba was shot.Mr Blake was cleared of murder in October following a trial at the Old Bailey, and is waiting to learn whether he will face disciplinary proceedings.On Monday, Ofcom said while the programme makers had been fair regarding Naseem's comments, they did not give the IOPC a proper chance to respond to further criticisms by former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu, and former armed officer Tony Long.In its ruling, the regulator said: "In relation to Mr Naseem's contribution, Ofcom found that the broadcaster took reasonable care to satisfy itself that material facts were not presented, disregarded or omitted in the programme in a way that resulted in unfairness to the IOPC."However, in relation to the criticisms made by Mr Basu and Mr Long, we considered that these comments had the potential to materially or adversely affect viewers' opinions of the IOPC in a way that was unfair."The BBC had argued that Mr Basu and Mr Long's comments were presented as personal and professional opinions.A BBC...