When a supposedly factual TV programme on global warming contains fabricated climate graphs, dozens of false statements and frequently misleading content, you might think it would be in breach of broadcasting standards. Apparently not in the UK.
This week the British regulator charged with upholding broadcasting standards, Ofcom, announced its response to the about The Great Global Warming Swindle.
The programme was first broadcast in the UK last year and attacks the idea that human activity is responsible for global warming. It has since been sold to 21 countries and widely circulated on YouTube. The film-makers shown. They also made many false statements – such as that volcanoes emit more carbon dioxide than human activity – and misrepresented the views of several scientists.
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Ofcom relating to individuals or organisations being treated unfairly. It also ruled that the programme breached rules relating to impartiality.
Despite this, Ofcom decided that the programme was not in breach of any rules relating to accuracy. Only news programmes have to be presented with “due accuracy”, says the regulator. It does not matter if other factual programmes are misleading, so long as they do not cause “harm or offence”. Most viewers would have been aware that the views expressed were at odds with the scientific consensus, it added.
