Complaint
Two viewers complained that Julia Hartley-Brewer was not an appropriate guest to discuss aspects of climate change because “There is no debate on whether it is happeningâ€, and that there should have been no place in such a discussion for “a non-expert controversialistâ€. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the Â鶹ԼÅÄ’s editorial standards of impartiality.
Outcome
The ECU noted that it was in the nature of a discussion programme such as Question Time to debate a range of topical issues and to hear a range of views, and that viewers in general will be familiar with the idea those taking part will express their opinions and exercise their right to freedom of expression, whether or not they have expert knowledge of the topic under discussion. In that context, the programme-makers are entitled to invite panellists who may hold contentious opinions on certain subjects or express their views in a forthright or robust manner.   The ECU also noted that the guests on this occasion were not asked to consider whether climate change is happening, but to respond to the question “Are Just Stop Oil’s latest protests hurting their own cause?â€.  In the course of answering it, Ms Hartley-Brewer expressed views on the use of fossil fuels which were at odds with the scientific consensus, but in the ECU’s judgement the responses from other guests and members of the studio audience provided sufficient challenge to meet the requirements of impartiality in this context.
Not Upheld