In a move that ought to be followed by American media outlets - and extended to hate group leaders such as Tony Perkins of Family Research Council - the BBC has indicated that it will no longer air "debates" featuring members of the anti-science fringe. The media has a responsibility to educate the public and not give platforms to charlatans and bigots who ignore objective facts in order to further their twisted political of religious agenda. Yes, these people are free to embrace ignorance if they choose, but the media should not provide them with outlets. A piece in Salon looks at this move by the BBC which ought to be applauded by rational, sane individuals. Here are excerpts:
Good news for viewers of BBC News: You’ll no longer be subjected to the unhinged ravings of climate deniers and other members of the anti-science fringe. In a report published Thursday by the BBC Trust, the network’s journalists were criticized for devoting too much airtime (as in, any airtime) to unqualified people with “marginal views” about non-contentious issues in a misguided attempt to provide editorial balance.
“The Trust wishes to emphasize the importance of attempting to establish where the weight of scientific agreement may be found and make that clear to audiences,” the report reads. “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.” So far, according to the Telegraph, about 200 staff members have attended seminars and workshops aimed at improving their coverage.
To illustrate the ridiculousness of having one fringe “expert” come in to undermine a scientific consensus, the report points to the network’s coverage of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which in September released a report concluding, with 95 percent certainty, that man-made climate change is happening. As was their due diligence, BBC reporters called a dozen prominent U.K. scientists, trying to drum up an opposing viewpoint. When that didn’t happen — probably because 97 percent of scientists agree that man-made climate change is happening — they turned instead to retired Australian geologist Bob Carter, who has ties to the industry-affiliated Heartland Institute.
To be clear, having one guy dismiss the consensus of hundreds of the world’s top climate scientists as “hocus-pocus science” wasn’t the “balanced” thing to do, and the only reason why people like Carter continue to be taken seriously is because news networks continue to suggest they should be.
Were every network to start doing what the BBC is, their unfounded opinions would cease to be heard . . .
As I said, a similar policy needs to be adopted in respect to Christofascists and other hate mongers and bigots who have only fantasy world religious beliefs to support their batshitery. Stop providing them with an audience and giving them even a shred of legitimacy.
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