Decisions on when to fast-track a complaint must be taken by the application of editorial judgement and on a case by case basis. The following list sets out the kind of considerations which, singly or in combination, would be likely to guide a decision in individual cases.
- The significance of the potential breach of standards identified
- The potential reputational damage
- The profile of the programme (or other item of output) complained of
- The level of public concern attaching to the issue(s) of complaint
- The nature of the complainants (first or third party, corporate body, person in public life)
- The existence of strong prima facie grounds for suspecting a serious breach of standards
- Where the identification of a breach and speedy correction or apology is necessary to ensure BBC’s adherence to its editorial standards
The decision to apply the fast-track procedure will be taken by the Director-General in his role as editor-in-chief or by someone nominated by the Director-General in that capacity, and it will be final. Where the decision to apply this procedure is taken by the Director-General or the nominated person, that fact will be made public as soon as reasonable after the decision is made. The Director-General or the nominated person will determine the scope of any expedited investigation. The Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) will take on the primary investigating role on most occasions, but in some cases outside support may be sought in order to ensure a speedy resolution.
Content-makers whose work is subject to the fast-track procedure will be given sight of the complaint and appropriate opportunity (which may be oral) to respond to the issues of concern, subject to the requirement to reach a timely resolution.