Archived press release

Channel 4 savaged by television watchdog over green stitch-up

2 April 1998

Friends of the Earth has welcomed today's devastating ruling by the Independent Television Commission (ITC) over Channel 4's anti-green series “Against Nature”. Following the ruling, Channel 4 are to be forced to issue on-screen apologies to the Campaigns Director of Friends of the Earth,Tony Juniper, and three other environmentalists. “Against Nature“ was made by independent production company RDF television.

ITC ruled that the programme makers “ distorted by selective editing” the views of Tony Juniper and other interviewees; and ” misled” participants over the “content and purpose of the programmes when they agreed to take part.”

A further complaint by Friends of the Earth that the programme was inaccurate in its use of facts and unfairly hostile to the environmental movement is not fully covered by the ITC Programme Code.However, in a letter to FOE the ITC admitted that “we sympathise with some of the views you have expressed about the way the programme dealt with the issues it addressed. In the light of those views, together with our concerns about the breaches of Section 3.8...we shall be discussing with Channel 4 some aspects of their approach to this programme, and to their compliance with our Programme Code.”

FOE is demanding the resignation of Channel 4 commissioning editor Sarah Ramsden for failing in her duty to ensure that Channel 4's programmes are professionally made and meet basic standards of accuracy and fairness. FOE also believes that RDF television should not be commissioned to make further television documentaries until they can demonstrate that they are now a competent production company.

Commenting, Ian Willmore, Media Co-ordinator of Friends of the Earth said:

“We are delighted that the ITC has upheld our complaint against “Against Nature”. The series was badly made, dishonest in its treatment of Tony Juniper and other interviewees, and thoroughly shoddy in its use of facts. Channel 4 commissioning editor Sarah Ramsden should consider her position, having failed in her duty to see that documentaries she commissions meet minimum standards . And RDF television should certainly get no further work until they learn the basic standards of competence required of programme makers. Friends of the Earth welcomes vigorous debate about the environment. We are not afraid of criticism or scrutiny.But we expect programme makers and other commentators to be honest and accurate in their work. We're pleased that the ITC agree with us.”

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust