Channel 4 and Sky News' 'Battle for No 10' sparks 254 Ofcom complaints as social media turns on Kay Burley for Ed Miliband questioning
Ofcom has received over 250 complaints regarding Channel 4 and Sky News’ ‘Battle for No10’ broadcast debate between Labour party leader Ed Miliband and prime minister and Conservative head David Cameron.
Of the complaints received, the watchdog announced that 110 “alleged bias” in the treatment of the leaders from the show’s hosting duo, retired BBC veteran Jeremy Paxman and Sky News presenter Kay Burley.
A common complaint on social media was the allegation that Kay Burley issued easier questions to prime minister David Cameron than Ed Miliband.
For instance, while David Cameron, near the close of his 18 minute Q&A, was asked whether he liked Shredded Wheat cereal, Miliband was posed several probing questions about his relationship with his brother, David Miliband, who failed in his attempt to become the party’s leader to Ed.
Burley concluded: "Your poor mother".
Guardian columnist Sunny Hundal was among the critics of Hurley’s segment.
There was no point whatsoever to the Kay Burley segment. Learnt nothing. Cameron not held to account. Ends with a Q on shredded wheat! WTF
— Sunny Hundal (@sunny_hundal) March 26, 2015
Kay Burley letting Cameron ignore the questions the audience is putting forward. Second half doesn't have power of the first
— Sunny Hundal (@sunny_hundal) March 26, 2015
Former Labour communications director Alistair Campbell felt Burley's treatment of Miliband worked to his advantage in the eyes of viewers.
People slagging Kay Burley - but @Ed_Miliband doing better than @David_Cameron in part because she is being snipey
— Alastair Campbell (@campbellclaret) March 26, 2015
Channel 4 news anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy also critisised the broadcast.
Am confused whether Kay Burley is supposed to ask supplementaries? She didn't with Cameron but does with Miliband #BattleForNumber10
— Krishnan Guru-Murthy (@krishgm) March 26, 2015
As did Guardian columnist Owen Jones.
Funny how Kay Burley spent 20 minutes basically heckling Ed Miliband. Didn’t do that with Cameron, did she? #BattleForNumber10
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) March 26, 2015
The criticism was not well received by Burley on Twitter however.
Sooo annoying when journalists criticise me on Twitter they don't even have courtesy to tag me in. You know who you are. I'm going for a run
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) March 27, 2015
Presume your editor told you to write that... @Independent http://t.co/dv3PdD1LMw pic.twitter.com/aipMvamBQ6
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) March 27, 2015
Oh look @guardian have bothered to write about my frock. My 37 years as a journalist have all been worth it http://t.co/ywu1EIgGqD
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) March 27, 2015
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We are assessing the complaints before deciding whether or not to investigate.”
This comes after social media analysis found that the reception to the leaders’ performances on Twitter was evenly matched.