Outsiders breaches STV Code over climate change misinformation

SKY News program Outsiders has fallen in breach of the Subscription TV Code of Practice for failing to provide accurate information around climate change.

Media watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority received 80 complaints related to 10 Outsiders episodes, led by host Rowan Dean, broadcast between October and December 2021.

While many of the complaints doubled up on factual issues, the watchdog has reported on four broadcasts with the themes:

1. Misrepresentation of research
2. Concerns regarding the credibility of expertise and sources of information
3. Inaccurate reportage.

The topics discussed related, variously, to global temperatures, UK govt policy on gas heaters and coral reef recovery on the Great Barrier Reef.

Foxtel endeavoured to maintain Outsiders was not a news programme but “a no holds barred commentary on politics and other topical issues.” ACMA ruled that opinion fell under current affairs and insisted it must comply with codes.

Foxtel also maintained that the broadcast was “beyond the Licensee’s control” and would therefore not constitute a breach under ASTRA Codes -but ACMA was having none of that and said responsibility to comply with the Codes cannot be divested through contractual arrangements with a channel provider.

“Broadcasters cannot outsource their compliance responsibilities to a third party. It is important that Australian audiences are able to trust that the information presented in current affairs programs is accurate and factual….” Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said.

Amongst various breaches found the show drew upon analysis sent in by an ‘Ice Age Watch fan’.

“By analysing ice cores harvested at Vostok near the South Pole …we can look back through time to see what the climate was like and what it was doing,” said the show’s host.

They continued, “Clearly, the temperature drives carbon dioxide, not the other way around.”

But ACMA said an emphatic ‘eureka’ insight used to cast doubt on the consensus scientific position that carbon dioxide increases drive global warming did not clearly distinguish between analysis or commentary, and factual material.

A separate broadcast, also in Weather and the Sceptics Ice-Age Watch segment discussed heat pumps being mandated in the UK.

“Boris Johnson, who […] is mandating that everyone in Britain get rid of their perfectly good gas heaters and replace them with desperately inefficient eco heat pumps at around 10 to 20 thousand pounds a pop,” said the host.

But ACMA did not agree Foxtel’s claim that the statement referred to future government policy or to future actions required of UK citizens. Information provided by the host was underscored by the use of additional phrases such as ‘is mandating’, ‘as he huddles under the doona’ and ‘not a single one of his own 31 cabinet ministers actually owns one’.

Another episode on coral reefs on the Great Barrier Reef drew upon an Australian Maritime Institute report.

“The coral reefs are looking fantastic. They’ve done a report. The Australian Maritime Institute [sic] has done a report. They’ve come out and said there’s never been so much coral. [Mr R’s] out there saying, ‘I’ve been telling you this, it’s great news, great coral …’” the program stated.

ACMA rules that while the AIMS report did find that coral coverage had increased in the most recent survey period, the report nevertheless found that the recovery was fragile and at risk and that the longer-term prognosis was uncertain.

Because none of this important context was provided, a viewer would be left with the idea that the AIMS report had demonstrated that the proposition that reef health was at serious risk.

There was a further breach around statements made on temperature data from Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo in an unfair manner.

Following the breaches Foxtel has expressly acknowledged to the ACMA that as licensee it is responsible for meeting its code and statutory obligations with respect to all material that is broadcast, even if it is material supplied by a third-party provider.

Foxtel will also review the systems it has in place to ensure that content sourced from third-party providers is compliant with the code.

It will report back to the ACMA within four months on the outcome of this system review, including the staff training, processes and arrangements it has undertaken to ensure future compliance with the code.

Because Outsiders was broadcast on WIN and SCA both regional broadcasters must also report to ACMA within four months on the measures they are taking to comply with the Commercial TV Code of Practice.

Updated:

SKY News in a statement said the complaints were submitted to ACMA by political staffer Jared Owens, whose LinkedIn profile states that he currently works for the Australian Government as Adviser to Kevin Rudd.

“Mr Rudd made 80 complaints to the ACMA over a three-month period in 2021 regarding the Outsiders program, of which the majority were rejected by the regulator,” a SKY News Australia spokesperson said.

“Outsiders is a Sunday morning commentary and discussion program which by virtue of its name sheds light on alternative perspectives on current events.

“We are delighted Mr Rudd is apparently such a devoted viewer of the Outsiders. He will be pleased to know he can continue watching the program from his new Washington address via our international service Australia Channel”.

A spokesperson for ACMA told Weekly Beast: “ACMA did not dismiss 90% of the allegations.”