BBC exaggerated Wi-Fi dangers

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 3 Dec 2007 at 08:20

Panorama's investigation into whether Wi-Fi represents a danger to schools and children was guilty of "exaggerating grounds for concern", a report has found.

The programme, broadcast by the BBC in May, claimed that Wi-Fi networks gave off a higher level of radiation than mobile phone masts, which was significant as children's skulls are thinner than adults' skulls, and subsequently absorb more radiation.

The report into the programme's findings, published by the BBC's editorial complaint's department, found that the programme offered "an unbalanced impression of the state of scientific opinion", by supporting the claims with the opinions of three scientists, and offering only one contradictory view, that of Professor Repacholi.

Furthermore, the report criticises the representation of Professor Repacholi by the programme, claiming his contribution "was presented in a context which suggested to viewers that his scientific independence was in question, whereas the other scientists were presented uncritically. This reinforced the misleading impression, and was unfair to Prof Repacholi."