Help Ian Wishart bust the bias in climate reporting

Please support Wishart’s legal case against inaccurate climate reporting

Ian Wishart has filed two High Court appeals to clarify broadcasters’ responsibility to verify claims about climate and extreme weather.

The cases concern reports describing a Dunedin rainfall event as the city’s “wettest day in over a century” and Hamilton as experiencing its “hottest days” during a heatwave. Wishart argues historical records do not support those claims.

These claims are not about whether climate change is real, but whether broadcasters should check factual claims, accurately represent the evidence and correct reports when challenged.

The broadcasters and the Broadcasting Standards Authority argue media organisations should be able to rely on expert bodies without independently checking the underlying facts. Wishart’s appeals will test that position.

We are seeking $35,000 to help him fight these cases. Ian is representing himself, so the funds will not pay his personal legal fees. They will support court and related costs.

The cost breakdown:

- Costs exposure of up to $12,000 from the completed broadcast standards appeal

- Costs exposure of up to $12,000 from the second appeal

- $5,764 in costs from the interlocutory hearing

“This appeal is not putting climate change on trial. It is putting climate change reportage on trial and, as a consequence, the broadcasting regulator.”

If you believe facts still matter in news reporting, please donate and share.

Donate to hold broadcasters accountable.