Michael Miller, News Corp Australia’s executive chair, recently defended the company’s coverage of climate change. During a Senate inquiry, he insisted that their outlets do not intentionally promote climate science denial. He emphasized that a variety of opinions should be part of public debate, distinguishing between differing opinions and misinformation.
Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson challenged Miller about the platforming of climate skeptics, highlighting claims that News Corp acts as part of a “climate denial machine.” However, Miller dismissed this notion, stating they’re part of a debate forum rather than a denial platform.
A 2022 report from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue labeled Sky News Australia a hub for climate misinformation, a claim News Corp disputes. A coalition called Climate Action Against Disinformation suggested that readers of News Corp publications are more likely to accept false narratives on climate issues compared to other news sources. The analysis indicated that major News Corp outlets, like The Australian and Sky News, were particularly prone to such misinformation.
Miller countered criticisms from Labor Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah about the analysis by saying that differing opinions should not be conflated with misinformation. He highlighted that many stories around the devastating 2019-2020 bushfires also addressed climate change.
However, there have been reports of discontent within News Corp regarding its climate coverage. Emily Townsend, a finance manager at the company, voiced her concerns in an internal email, stating her discomfort about contributing to the spread of climate denial.
Miller responded to these issues, arguing that News Corp has published thousands of stories related to the bushfires and has mentioned climate change in a significant number of them. He asserted that each of their publications operates independently, without coordinated messaging from the top.
James Murdoch, who resigned from the board in 2020, had expressed frustration over the company’s handling of climate issues. Miller acknowledged the reality of climate change, asserting that major figures in the company, including Rupert Murdoch, do too.
Experts believe the relationship between media coverage and public perception of climate change is crucial. Studies show that biased reporting can influence beliefs significantly, highlighting the need for responsible journalism in this critical area.
As public sentiment shifts toward greater climate awareness, the role of major media outlets like News Corp becomes even more significant. The conversation is ongoing, and the impact of how climate issues are reported will resonate with audiences for years to come.
For further insights, consider checking research from credible sources on media influence on climate change perception. You can read more about the media’s role in spreading climate misinformation in this report by Climate Action Against Disinformation.
