He is a passionate cyclist who updates his Twitter followers on his life on two wheels.
However, it seems that Jeremy Vine’s excitement got the better of him slightly since he broke the BBC’s bias guidelines by tweeting in support of contentious low-traffic neighborhoods (LTNs).
The 57-year-old anchor of Radio 2 expressed his support for the programs that divert traffic away from residential areas, particularly those close to his Chiswick, west London, home.
Following a complaint from a viewer that Vine “should be non-biased” and that some of his tweets on the subject resembled “a campaign of harassment” against a local campaign organization, BBC executives claim they have talked to Vine about the issue.
Jeremy Vine of Radio 2 has been charged with violating the BBC’s bias policies for tweeting his support for the contentious Low Traffic Neighbors.
Following public concerns regarding Vine’s tweets, BBC executives said they had talked with Vine.
In its written decision, the BBC’s executive complaints section ruled that LTNs were “the type of issue to which concerns of proper impartiality apply for the BBC” and, therefore, to presenter Vine.
The statement read: “With regard to impartiality, the guidance makes clear that those who work in journalism and factual programming should observe the BBC’s standards in personal social media activity, as well as on air, and the topical nature of Mr. Vine’s program on Radio 2 brings him within that category.
At the period in question, “the adoption of an LTN was a topic of intense disagreement in Chiswick.” However, they said that Vine’s well-documented “personal ardour” for cycling was unaffected by the discovery.
The radio host, who is also an ardent biker, resides in Chiswick, West London, and there are Low Traffic Neighborhoods (LTNs) in place. On Twitter, he has often expressed his support for the traffic-calming plan.
Additionally, they said Vine had the right to use his social media accounts to protest the campaigners’ personal abuse and that his comments, which were not abusive, consequently followed the rules.
In LTNs, cycling lanes are built, through lanes are blocked off, sidewalks are widened, and bollards and signs are used to control traffic.
The BBC decision did not mention any particular Vine social media postings. However, he tweeted his admiration for the brand-new family cycling lanes.
LTNs have come under fire for having no effect on pollution and just relocating traffic and pollutants to other locations.
Although studies have indicated they have helped to minimize injuries to pedestrians and automobile passengers in locations where they have been deployed, emergency services have also claimed that they have an influence on their capacity to react to situations swiftly.