The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has upheld complaints against one of its reporters, Martine Croxall, for deviating from her script during a live broadcast and altering the phrase ‘pregnant people’ to ‘women.’ The incident, which occurred during an interview about heatwave research and vulnerable groups, quickly went viral, sparking widespread debate. Croxall’s facial expression during the word change was also scrutinized, with viewers interpreting it as conveying contempt or a personal stance on a contentious issue. The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) concluded that her actions gave the ‘strong impression of expressing a personal view on a controversial matter,’ which falls short of the corporation’s professional standards for its journalists. While BBC management initially defended Croxall, citing a confusing script and noting that the interviewee also used the term ‘pregnant women,’ the ECU maintained that her inadvertent behavior was inconsistent with the BBC’s expectations. The incident highlights the ongoing global debate surrounding transgender identities and the challenges of navigating sensitive topics in media.
BBC says its anchor violated policy by saying ‘women’ instead of ‘pregnant people’
