Complaint
The programme included an interview with an advocate of wind power, prompted by recent data showing that Scottish wind turbines had generated enough electricity in the first half of 2019 to power 4.7 million homes.Β A listener complained that the interviewee was allowed to promote wind power without critical questioning and had incorrectly described it as βthe cheapest form of energyβ.
Outcome
On two occasions, the interviewee referred to onshore wind power as the cheapest form of electricity generation, and in relation to the widely-accepted βlevelised costβ method of calculation these references were duly accurate.Β However, the guidelines provide that, when a contributor provides a single or partial view, βthe existence of a range of views and their respective weights should be acknowledgedβ, and that did not happen on this occasion.
Partly upheld
Further action
News teams have been reminded of the importance of critical questioning, particularly when the subject under discussion is potentially contentious.