Monday, July 21, 2008
OFCOM'S JUDGEMENT
Ofcom has found Channel 4 in breach of the following rule set out in the Broadcasting Code
Rule 7.1: “Broadcasters must avoid unjust or unfair treatment of individuals or organisations in programmes.”;
Ofcom’s investigation found that that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the former Government Chief Scientist, Sir David King and Professor Carl Wunsch were treated unfairly in the programme. In particular, the programme made some significant allegations without offering an appropriate and timely opportunity to respond. In the case of Sir David King, the programme makers also criticised him for comments he did not make.
Ofcom also found Channel 4 in breach of:
Rule 5.11: “….due impartiality must be preserved on matters of major political and industrial controversy and major matters relating to current public policy…”; and
Rule 5.12: “In dealing with matters of major political and industrial controversy and major matters relating to current public policy an appropriately wide range of significant views must be included and given due weight in each programme or in clearly linked and timely programmes. Views and facts must not be misrepresented”.
...Ofcom did not find parts one to four of the programme, which focused on the scientific debate about the causes of global warming, in breach of the Code.
....Ofcom considers that it is important, in line with the right to freedom of expression, that broadcasters continue to produce challenging and controversial programmes, so long as they comply with the Code.
I suppose the last paragraph shows they have a sense of humour.
I have sent in my complaint mentioned yesterday to Ofcom. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/complain/progs/specific/?itemid=286480 for anybody who finds a programme which they think fails to provide a "wide range of significant views must be included and given due weight in each programme". I haven't yet heard from them but doubtles they will issue an adjudication against C4 within a few hours - at least if rules apply equally to the politically incorect as to the PC.
Rule 7.1: “Broadcasters must avoid unjust or unfair treatment of individuals or organisations in programmes.”;
Ofcom’s investigation found that that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the former Government Chief Scientist, Sir David King and Professor Carl Wunsch were treated unfairly in the programme. In particular, the programme made some significant allegations without offering an appropriate and timely opportunity to respond. In the case of Sir David King, the programme makers also criticised him for comments he did not make.
Ofcom also found Channel 4 in breach of:
Rule 5.11: “….due impartiality must be preserved on matters of major political and industrial controversy and major matters relating to current public policy…”; and
Rule 5.12: “In dealing with matters of major political and industrial controversy and major matters relating to current public policy an appropriately wide range of significant views must be included and given due weight in each programme or in clearly linked and timely programmes. Views and facts must not be misrepresented”.
...Ofcom did not find parts one to four of the programme, which focused on the scientific debate about the causes of global warming, in breach of the Code.
....Ofcom considers that it is important, in line with the right to freedom of expression, that broadcasters continue to produce challenging and controversial programmes, so long as they comply with the Code.
I suppose the last paragraph shows they have a sense of humour.
I have sent in my complaint mentioned yesterday to Ofcom. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/complain/progs/specific/?itemid=286480 for anybody who finds a programme which they think fails to provide a "wide range of significant views must be included and given due weight in each programme". I haven't yet heard from them but doubtles they will issue an adjudication against C4 within a few hours - at least if rules apply equally to the politically incorect as to the PC.
