An episode of the BBC's Frozen Planet documentary series that looks at climate change has been scrapped by Discovery in the U.S., where around half of people do not believe in climate change.

Link: An episode of the BBC's Frozen Planet documentary series that looks at climate change has been scrapped by Discovery in the U.S., where around half of people do not believe in climate change.

jtotheizzoe:

mohandasgandhi:

In the U.S., Frozen Planet is being aired by Discovery. They were involved in the joint-production of the series. Yet they are still refusing to accommodate Frozen Planet in its entirety.

You’re a joke, Discovery. Science isn’t up to utilitarian referendum. The climate deniers of the United States will never come around unless they’re able to be educated and we’re quickly reaching the point of no return. This is the censorship of facts to coddle the misinformed, only reinforcing that everything is going to be okay in their minds when climate scientists are starting to panic. Unbelievable.

DiscoveryNews, I know you follow me and listen, so listen … I’ll temper my response a bit from hers.

It’s important to note that this comes from the Daily Mail. But even after my “Daily Mail Rule”, wherein I multiply the sensationalism by a factor of 0.5, there’s a significant remainder and I am still left scratching my head on this decision.

Discovery regularly plays programs starring lesser known Britons than Attenborough (like Brian Cox) and less-intelligent Britons than Attenborough (like Bear Grylls). Not to mention that as a network whose influence on scientifically-sound and entertaining programming in the U.S. is second to none, you have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead here. 

Scientific fact is not subject to the rule of opinion, but unfortunately programming decisions are. I respect that. But you know what else is subject to public opinion? Your integrity.

At a time when science communication needs leadership to help deliver sober reality to the tightly knotted brains of denialists and those not paying attention, you’re missing out on the chance to make a difference. I won’t use the word “censorship”, but I will use the word “cowardice”.

And if you have the balls to play reruns of Deadliest Shark-Lobster SwordCatchers or MegaStorm Topeka: The Tornado That Could Take Us To Oz in place of this show … so help you.