BBC Responds To Complaints That Its Coverage Of Kate Middleton’s Cancer Diagnosis Was “Excessive & Insensitive”
The BBC has responded robustly to complaints that its coverage of Kate Middleton‘s cancer diagnosis was “excessive and insensitive.”
The corporation said it accepts “not everyone would have approved of the approach we took” to reporting on the shock news about the Princess of Wales, but it provided a number of points backing up its approach.
Following weeks of speculation, Middleton revealed she had cancer and was being treated with chemotherapy via a statement and video message last month.
The BBC today said it “received complaints from people who feel our coverage of the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis was excessive and insensitive.”
Countering, the BBC added that coverage “reflected the significance of this story and the outpouring of support for the princess from around the globe.”
“Our reporting made clear that this is a difficult time for the princess and the rest of the Royal Family; we have been mindful at all times to approach our coverage with sensitivity,” the BBC said.
“As part of our analysis, we examined the intense speculation there had been in the preceding weeks about the princess’s health. We also reported on Catherine’s request for privacy and detailed the statement from Kensington Palace regarding the princess having the right to privacy in relation to her medical issues.”
The lead-up to the Princess of Wales’ revelation had seen intense speculation about her health after she said she was having abdominal surgery in January, on the same day that King Charles was revealed to have cancer. That speculation had heightened after four major news agencies pulled a photo of Middleton and family from their libraries amid concerns the pic was manipulated. Middleton took the blame for poor photo-editing skills the following day, but it did little to quell media interest, worsened by a second supposedly doctored image and a grainy video of Middleton and husband Prince William in a farm shop. The BBC similarly responded to complaints that its coverage of the photo editing brouhaha was “excessive and sensationalist.”
“We always give careful consideration to the editorial decisions we make,” the BBC said today. “While we have a responsibility to report on stories that are of interest to our audience, we appreciate that not everyone would have approved of the approach we took.”
