Committee chair questions ITV on interview with Prime Minister
15 November 2012
Chair of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee John Whittingdale MP has today written to Peter Fincham, Director of Television at ITV, regarding Philip Schofield’s interview with the Prime Minister during ITV’s This Morning programme on Thursday, 8 November:
Peter Fincham
Director of Television
ITV Plc
15 November 2012
I am writing in connection with Philip Schofield’s interview with the Prime Minister during ITV’s This Morning programme on Thursday, 8 November. As you are aware, during the interview, Mr Schofield presented the Prime Minister with a list of names of individuals alleged to have been involved in paedophilia which it had taken him “about three minutes” to obtain from the internet.
I understand that Mr Schofield has apologised for the fact that some of the names might have been visible and that Ofcom is also considering a complaint about this matter. However, there has been widespread concern expressed about the decision itself to confront the Prime Minister with such a list. I would therefore be grateful if you could say whether or not it is the view of ITV that this represented responsible journalism in the public interest. I would also like to know at what level the decision was taken, what legal advice was sought, and what subsequent consideration has been given to the appropriateness of this broadcast.
John Whittingdale OBE MP
Chairman, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee