Complaint
A viewer complained about a report on bluetongue, a viral disease affecting livestock. During the item, a vet said if an animal contracted the disease, “we can treat it with antibiotics and hopefully bring it back”. The viewer argued this was inaccurate because antibiotics do not treat viral infections and the statement risked encouraging inappropriate use of antibiotics. The ECU considered the complaint under the BBC’s editorial standards of accuracy.
Outcome
The ECU agreed the wording could have been more precise and it would have been preferable to explain antibiotics can be used to treat secondary bacterial infections associated with the disease. However, the ECU did not consider viewers would have been left with a materially misleading impression. The item had already explained bluetongue is a virus and the principal focus was on the risks posed by the disease and the role of vaccination in preventing infection. The reference to antibiotics was brief, incidental to the wider discussion and was not presented as a detailed explanation of treatment. The ECU also did not consider it likely viewers would interpret the item as encouraging the use of antibiotics for viral illnesses or for unrelated human medical conditions. In the circumstances, the ECU concluded the report met the standards for due accuracy.
Not Upheld