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Following complaints from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that the riots were happening in England and not in their regions, the BBC will now label the unrest as ‘England riots’ rather than ‘UK riots’.
Mr Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister, complained about broadcasters headlining coverage of the unrest as “UK riots”.
Mr Salmond claimed that Scottish society was different from that in England, and that similar riots were much less likely in Scotland.
By referring to the riots as ‘UK riots’, he said Scotland’s reputation as a tourism destination was at risk.
Viewers in Wales and Northern Ireland are reported to be irritated by the branding of the unrest as ‘UK riots’.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, he said: “We know we have a different society in Scotland, and one of my frustrations was to see this being described on BBC television and Sky as riots in the UK.”
A BBC spokesman today said: “While the rioting and disturbances have been taking place in England, our initial approach was guided by the story’s impact for the UK as a whole — for example, the UK Prime Minister returning from holiday and the decision to recall the UK Parliament.”
He added: “However, with the events confined to several cities and towns in England and not Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we have listened to feedback from our audiences and are now referring to ‘England riots’ in our on-going coverage for absolute clarity.”
Earlier, the BBC was accused of political correctness when it referred to rioters and looters as “protesters”.
Ms Fran Unsworth, head of news gathering, admitted that using the term was wrong and said journalists had been ordered to stop using it.
“I think it was probably okay on Saturday when the whole incident was started off by this peaceful protest against the killing of Mark Duggan in Tottenham but since then, no, I don’t think that we should have been using the term ‘protesters’”.
She added: “They were clearly rioters and looters and that would have been a much better way of describing them.”
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