Disappointing, but not surprising, reply to my complaint to the BBC:
"Thank you for getting in touch about a series of interviews broadcast on the BBC World Service about the decision by two sports governing bodies to ban transgender women from competing in female sport.
We received a number of similar complaints and in order for us to fulfil our obligation of the effective use of Licence fee funds, we are sending a single reply which we hope addresses your concerns.
On May 1st 2025 BBC OS (presented by Mark Lowen) featured a report from BBC Sports correspondent Andy Swiss who explained that the FA had announced a ban on transgender women playing football in women’s teams. This was followed by an interview with a transgender woman ‘Jessica’ and her coach, Steve Fletcher, Solent Sports FC.
On May 2nd 2025 BBC OS (presented by Mark Lowen) spoke to BBC Sports reporter Nesta McGregor who told the programme about a ban on transgender women playing in women’s cricket teams. His report included a short clip from a transgender cricketer, Amelia Short. After that the programme played a short clip from the interview with ‘Jessica’ from the previous day before broadcasting an interview with Olympians Sharron Davies and Mara Yamauchi.
This is a complex and controversial topic which provokes a strong response from audiences on both sides of the argument. But having reviewed all the material, the programme editor is satisfied that the coverage was balanced overall.
Separating the guests over two programmes meant that both sides had the time and space to make their arguments in detail. Both sides were challenged by presenter Mark Lowen. For example he asked ‘Jessica’ and Steve Fletcher to consider the views of women who want a biological only space. He also put to them that the physical strength and hormone levels of transgender women give them an advantage over women.
Sharron Davies and Mara Yamauchi were similarly asked to consider what they would say to transgender women affected by the rulings. This question was criticised by the majority of people who complained to the BBC. However the editor considers it was an appropriate and reasonable question. The full interview ran to nearly twelve minutes. During this time both Sharron Davies and Mara Yamauchi were given plenty of time to make all their key points without interruption from Mark.
At one point Nesta McGregor mistakenly talked about the Supreme Court ruling on ‘gender’ when he should have said ‘sex’. Mark Lowen also used the term ‘cis women’ without attributing it. The BBC’s guidelines on the use of language around gender clearly explain the difference between ‘gender’ and ‘sex’ and that the term ‘cisgender’ should not be used unless attributed. The editor has reminded the programme team of these guidelines.
If you’d like to understand how your complaint is handled at the BBC, you might find it helpful to watch this short film www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints. It explains the BBC’s process for responding to complaints and how we share the feedback we receive.
We appreciate you taking the time to get in touch.
Best regards,
BBC Complaints Team"