Foxtel, SCA, WIN nudged by ACMA over Sky News program
Pay TV provider Foxtel was found to have breached the codes of accuracy and distinguishability by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) over third-party content it provided in 2021.
The media watchdog found that several Outsiders programs broadcast on Foxtel between October and December 2021 breached the subscription TV code of practice.
Outsiders hosts James Morrow, Rita Panahi and Rowan Dean. Photo: Foxtel
There were 80 allegations across ten episodes of Outsiders, a current affairs program on Sky News Australia. A Sky News Australia spokesperson pointed out that former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd “was the sole complainant to the ACMA”.
Most of the complaints were related to materials presented during ‘Outsiders Weather and the Sceptics Ice-Age Watch’ segments, the central premise of which is to debunk or criticise the consensus position on climate science and global warming.
The same Outsiders program was also aired on regional broadcasters WIN and SCA, both of which were also found to breach the codes of accuracy and the representation of viewpoints.
“We would like to assure Sky News Australia viewers of our ongoing commitment to broad discussion and debate on the issues they care about. We will not shy away from exploring a wide range of viewpoints,” continued the Sky News Australia spokesperson.
“Sky News takes its obligations under the broadcasting codes of practice seriously. The ACMA’s findings are the first concerning Sky News Australia content in more than a decade.”
Additionally, the Ministry Now and Joni Table Talk programs aired on Foxtel’s Daystar channel in September 2021 were found to have breached the accuracy rule in a separate investigation.
The ACMA found that there were inaccurate statements relating to COVID-19 vaccines including about the regulatory approval process, the use of alternative treatments, the effectiveness of vaccines, and that vaccines may cause infertility and miscarriage.
ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin stressed that broadcast licensees are ultimately responsible for what goes to air, including content that is supplied or purchased from another 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, particularly when national health issues are concerned,” she said.
Foxtel will review its compliance system and report back to the ACMA within four months about matters including the staff training, processes and arrangements it has undertaken.
A Foxtel spokesperson said the company is working with third-party providers on the review.
WIN and SCA will report to the ACMA within four months on their compliance measures in relation to programs supplied by third parties.
SCA referred to Sky News Australia’s statement. A WIN spokesperson said it “expects all of our third party content providers to meet regulatory requirements and continues to work with them to ensure this is the case”.
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Darcy Song was a reporter at Mumbrella, covering media owners, adtech and social platforms. She left in October 2023.
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Why does this article conflate the issues of climate change and ACMA’s findings regarding the Sky Outsiders program comments on COVID 19 vaccination? NO finding was made regarding any inaccurate statements regarding climate change made by Outsiders commentary. Even though Mr Kevin Rudd’s complaint to ACMA was more about so-called inaccurate comments regarding climate change than the COVID 19 vaccination program. This is therefore inaccurate reporting and an inaccurate article when you mention climate change and report it joined to the proven inaccurate comments made regarding COVID 19 vaccination program.
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Hi Rob,
Mumbrella simply reported on information published by ACMA in its media release and investigation report, which are all on public record.
Cheers,
Darcy
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