Climate change, balance and the BBC

It seems the BBC have finally come to a more subtle understanding of what “balance” means when it comes to scientific debate.

Previously, the BBC have been forced to include competing sides of the argument when discussing science stories such as GM crops and climate change regardless of the weight of scientific thinking on the subject. Now, as reported by Salon (http://slnm.us/fNtmrkJ) the BBC will no longer be forced to dig out the wierd and the fringe and the lobbyist groups and give them oxygen, but will instead have to respond to this simple truism outlined by the BBC Trust.

“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.”

A simple thought experiment might help outline the point of the BBC trust.

A car is stolen and there are 100 witnesses. 99 of the witnesses point to Bob as the car thief. The 100th witness, a friend of Bob, says Bob didn’t steal the car.