Climate sceptics get too much air-time, BBC told

Climate sceptics who do not believe that man-made emissions of carbon dioxide are contributing to global warming have had too much air-time on the BBC as a result of its public broadcasting remit to be impartial, an inquiry has found.

Inaccurate statements from those who challenge the scientific consensus on a range of subjects had frequently gone unquestioned in the BBC's attempts to be even-handed.

Professor Steve Jones, who reviewed the broadcaster's science coverage at the request of the BBC Trust, said: "When faced with strongly opposed views in a scientific discussion, a journalist may not be certain of the facts presented on each side and may apply balance while describing it as impartiality – but if one proponent is presenting dubious evidence that claim is not justified.

"For at least three years, the climate change deniers have been marginal to the scientific debate, but somehow they continued to find a place on the airwaves."