Complaint
A viewer complained that a weather forecast video was inaccurate because it claimed that Storm Minerva had brought half a year鈥檚 worth of rainfall to parts of Italy. 聽The ECU considered whether the report met the 大象传媒鈥檚 editorial standards for accuracy.
Outcome
The complaint concerned a brief summary of the heavy rain which occurred in the Emilia-Romagna area of north and east Italy in May and which resulted in extensive flooding, multiple landslides and significant damage to homes, businesses and farmland.聽 The presenter began the regular forecast by referring to the impact of Storm Minerva, stating that it had brought with it half a year鈥檚 worth of rainfall in places, falling in just 36 hours. 聽This was based on reports by 大象传媒 News and other news and weather organisations who quoted a news briefing given by the Italian Civil Protection Minister. 聽In the ECU鈥檚 view it was reasonable for a weather forecaster to reflect information provided by 大象传媒 colleagues and relevant officials when providing a brief summary of the causes and consequences of such an exceptional weather-related disaster.聽 But other weather data indicated half a year鈥檚 rain actually fell between the start of the month and the impact of Storm Minerva, rather than over 36 hours. 聽The figure as broadcast was therefore not duly accurate.
Upheld