Complaint to Ofcom regarding BBC's "What does trans mean and what is the Cass Review?"
(Images only)
9th September 2024
01835914
Classification: Confidential
Thank you for your emails seeking an update on your complaint.
Unlike complaints about BBC broadcasting and on-demand programme services, Ofcom has no related enforcement powers with regard to BBC online material. However, under its Agreement with the BBC, Ofcom is required to consider whether the BBC has observed its own editorial guidelines in the content of BBC online material.
We can confirm that after careful consideration, we concluded that the BBC had applied the relevant editorial guidelines when complying the material you identify. In our view, the BBCs decision not to address the issue from a specific angle had no impact on either the accuracy of the information presented in the article; or whether the article contained an appropriate range of perspectives, given the context.
As advised in the auto-acknowledgement when submitting your complaint, Ofcom will not normally write back to individual complainants to explain the outcome of its considerations but all its decisions about BBC Online Material are included in its BBC Online Material bulletin. Accordingly, this decision was included in Issue 47 of Ofcoms Bulletin for complaints about BBC Online Material.
Yours sincerely,
Ofcom Standards Team
13th September 2024
Dear Ofcom,
Please can you consider the following addressed to the Corporation Secretary.
Ofcom has not made the correct decision to not handle my complaint regarding the BBC's online material, under Ofcom's online procedures. [1]
My complaint raises substantive issues. It is in the interest of parents of gender dysphoric children to receive full coverage of all research around this topic. Ray Blanchard, who served on the DSM-4 subcommittee on gender identity disorders, specifically says that it is malpractice for parents to not be fully informed regarding all the types of gender dysphoria: [2]
Parents of gender dysphoric children should know which type of gender dysphoria their child has. To do so it is necessary to learn about all three of the most common types. That is, in order to understand why one’s child is Type X, it is necessary to know why s/he is not Type Y or Type Z. This is not simply academic. There are essential differences between the different types of gender dysphoria.
If knowledge is power, then lack of knowledge is malpractice.
There is no reason why the BBC should omit the research on autogynephilia on its page https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-53154286. To reiterate my complaint (which I have attached again as PDF).
The BBC has failed in its editorial guidelines 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.3. The omission of autogynephilia means Its article does not reflect diversity of opinion, nor gives due weight to material, and jeopardises impartiality.
The article as it stands, makes it obvious that the BBC's is ideologically biased against mentioning certain research around gender dysphoria, namely autogynephilia.
To reiterate points from my complaint:
The DSM-5, which defines "gender identity" and "gender dysphoria" in the first instance specifically mentions that autogynephilia increases the risk of males of experiencing gender dysphoria. I mention this in paragraph 10 of my complaint.
Autogynephilia is also covered in the popular press, for example, from Debbie Hayton, which I mention on paragraph 59.
While the BBC does not cover autogynephilia which is part of the DSM-5, it does cover "non-binary" which has no similar academic research base, nor appears in the DSM-5. If the BBC is going to cover that some people believe they are "non-binary", then the BBC should cover that some people, such as Debbie Hayton, and others (like me), see their gender identity issues as relating to autogynephilia.
[2] https://4thwavenow.com/2017/12/07/gender-dysphoria-is-not-one-thing/
Yours,
Orlando
4th November 2024
Dear Ofcom,
Don't you understand the people now, who say that the BBC, and Ofcom, are captured by "gender identity" ideology?
Because the BBC won't permit autogynephilia to be mentioned, and Ofcom will not enforce editorial standards.
Meanwhile, the US vice presidential candidate is having a discussion regarding autogynephilia. [1]
This is why people don't trust organisations like the BBC or Ofcom.
[1] https://x.com/triplebankshot/status/1852058379784720409
Yours,
Orlando