BBC journalists to receive training for overly balanced science reporting

Source: Sarah Knapton, London Telegraph • Posted: Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Following the publication of a progress report about the BBC’s science coverage, journalists within the company are being required to attend seminars designed to prevent “undue attention to marginal opinion” and “over-rigid application of editorial guidelines on impartiality” within scientific topics.

Naming man-made climate change as one of the topics that had been covered with too much “false balance,” the company’s trust concluded in its report that the BBC gave too much airtime to guests who disagree with widely accepted scientific understanding.

The trust found many of the BBC’s guests were also unqualified to debate scientific issues, such as Lord Nigel Lawson, who leads a lobbying organization working against the government’s climate change activities.

“Science coverage does not simply lie in reflecting a wide range of views but depends on the varying degree of prominence such views should be given,” the report found.

Approximately 200 staffers have already attended similar workshops.

The broadcasting organization was criticized in April for misleading viewers about climate change.

The British Parliament has also accused the organization of distorting the discussion of climate change, specifically singling out Radio 4’s “Today” and “World at One” programs (Sarah Knapton, London Telegraph, July 4)