BSA Releases 3 Decisions
The Authority has not upheld a complaint that a 1News segment on various extreme weather events in the US breached the accuracy standard by not referring to the climate crisis as a causative factor.
The BSA acknowledged scientists agree that anthropogenic climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heatwaves, floods, and other extreme weather events. It said reporting on extreme weather events is therefore of significant public interest, regardless of whether the climate crisis is expressly cited. Not mentioning the climate crisis in the 1News item did not give a wrong impression of the events depicted and would not have misled viewers, the Authority found. Whether or not to mention climate change was a matter for the broadcaster’s editorial discretion.
This and other recent decisions can be seen here.