Reply from BBC Audience Services re: Brandt Jean video ‘cut’

A couple of weeks ago I received a reply letter from BBC Audience Services regarding my complaint to them over how they ‘cut’ the Christian faith of Brandt Jean, the witness in a U.S. court who publicly forgave his brother’s murderer Amber Guyger.

The way the BBC cut the video footage of Brandt Jean in order to remove any reference to his Christian faith was a cynical removal of a positive portrayal of Christianity from the BBC News website. You can read my original complaint letter to the BBC here.

Below is the content of the letter which I received in reply at the end of October from BBC Audience Services. Judge for yourself whether you think the BBC really has been impartial over this footage!

Mr Graham Harter
[address supplied]

28 October 2019

Reference CAS-[reference supplied]

Dear Mr Harter

Thank you for contacting us about the following BBC News website article:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-49915649

We note you were unhappy the article made no reference to Brandt Jean’s faith.

It’s not always possible to include every detail in one standalone report. Rest assured, we apply the principle of impartiality to our reporting of all issues, including Christianity.

That said, we appreciate the feedback we receive when it’s felt something has been overlooked. Your complaint was made available to BBC News editors and senior management via a daily report which helps inform our ongoing work.

Kind regards

Deborah [surname given]
BBC Complaints Team
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints

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