[url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3169309.htm]Media Watch’s Jonathan Holmes has raised the issue of radio shock jocks pushing a very one-sided view on climate change.[/url] He claims they haven’t interviewed any orthodox climate scientists in the last year.
He’s talking 2GB (Alan Jones Chris Smith); 2UE (Jason Morrison David Oldfield Michael Smith) 4BC (Greg Carey Gary Hardgrave) 6PR (Howard Sattler.
He says there is a code governing radio licences that already requires balance in media but it isn’t being applied because ACMA haven’t received complaints about it.
“…there are requirements for accuracy and diversity of view in Code of Practice No 2. The problem is the regulator won’t or can’t enforce the Code unless someone complains it’s being flouted. And says ACMA…
“The ACMA does not have any current code 2.2 or 2.3 complaints or investigations into these programs on their coverage of global warming science…
— Response from ACMA 18th March 2011″
[url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/1107_acma.pdf]Read ACMA’s response to Media Watch’s questions[/url]
Well in my view it shouldn’t need a government regulator to tell influential radio hosts to provide at least a modicum of balance on a subject as crucial as this. The stations should do it themselves.”
[url=http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/HOMEPAGE/PC=HOME]ACMA[/url] stands for the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Commercial Radio Code of Practice 2 states:
CODE OF PRACTICE 2: NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMS
Purpose
The purpose of this Code is to promote accuracy and fairness in news and current affairs programs.
2.1 News programs (including news flashes) broadcast by a licensee must:
(a)
present news accurately;
(b)
not present news in such a way as to create public panic or unnecessary distress to reasonable listeners;
(c)
distinguish news from comment; and
(d)
not use material relating to a person’s personal or private affairs or which invades an individual’s privacy unless there is a public interest in broadcasting such information.
2.2 In the preparation and presentation of current affairs programs a licensee must use reasonable efforts to ensure that:
(a)
factual material is reasonably supportable as being accurate; and
(b)
substantial errors of fact are corrected at the earliest possible opportunity.
A failure to comply with the requirement in Code 2.2(a) to broadcast
factual material that is reasonably supportable as being accurate will
not be taken to be a breach of the Code if a correction which is
adequate and appropriate in all the circumstances is made within 30
business days of the licensee receiving a complaint or a complaint
being referred to the ACMA (whichever is later).
2.3 In the preparation and presentation of current affairs programs a licensee must ensure that:
(a)
the reporting of factual material is clearly distinguishable from commentary and analysis;
(b)
reasonable efforts are made or reasonable opportunities are given to present significant viewpoints when dealing with controversial issues of public importance either within the same program or similar programs while the issue has immediate
relevance to the community;
(c)
viewpoints expressed to the licensee for broadcast are not misrepresented and material is not presented in a misleading manner by giving wrong or improper emphasis or by editing out of context; and
(d)
the licensee does not use material relating to a person’s personal or private affairs or which invades an individual’s privacy unless there is a public interest in broadcasting such information.
The ACMA monitors matters relating to some standards and licence conditions and investigates [url=http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_90137]complaints[/url] about them from the public. The ACMA also acts as an independent adjudicator where [url=http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_90137]complaints about matters relating to codes of practice[/url] including the ABC and SBS codes of practice are not resolved between the complainant and the broadcaster concerned. Where ACMA finds a breach of a code of practice licence condition or standard the ACMA may take enforcement action to ensure future compliance.