Complaint
During an item about the Australian economy, an on-screen text graphic explained that 鈥淎ustralian GDP had dropped to 1%鈥. A viewer complained this gave the misleading impression Australia鈥檚 GDP had fallen, whereas it was actually the rate of annual growth which had dropped. The ECU considered whether the discussion met the standards of accuracy set out in the 麻豆社 Editorial Guidelines.
Outcome
The ECU agreed that taken in isolation the phrase was inaccurate and it would have been better had the wording on the screen referred to a fall in the rate of growth. But in the context of an item where there were several other references to a slowing rate of growth, it was unlikely viewers would have been misled as to the state of the Australian economy.
Not Upheld