Catalyst (TV program)

{{Infobox television

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| genre = Science

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| country = Australia

| language = English

| num_series = 20

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| executive_producer = Aidan Laverty

| producer = Penny Palmer, Ingrid Arnott,{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/team/about.htm |title=About Catalyst | publisher= Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=18 June 2009 |work=Catalyst}} Geraldine McKenna, Paul Schneller, Matthew Lovering, Adam Collins, Karen Appathurai

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| editor = Vaughan Smith, Andrew Glover, Meredith Hopes, Rowan Tucker-Evans, Chris Spurr, Lile Judickas

| camera = Kevin May, Ron Ekkle

| runtime = 30 minutes (2001–2016)
60 minutes (2017–present)

| network = ABC

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| first_aired = {{Start date|2001|08|09|df=y}}

| last_aired = present

| related = {{Plainlist|

Quantum (1985–2001)

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Catalyst is an Australian science journalism television program broadcast by ABC. The program is currently the only science show on primetime television in Australia. Launched in 2001, it replaced Quantum (TV series) which had ceased the previous year. Catalyst was regularly broadcast on ABC TV at 8:30 pm on Tuesdays and repeated at 6:00 pm on Sundays.

Overview

The show broadcasts stories on scientific themes, and in particular significant recent developments and discoveries. It focuses primarily on stories relevant to Australia, but the series covers international developments as well. It attempts to convey information in a way that is not only accurate but also interesting and informative to the general population, often discussing the ethical, political and other implications of scientific discoveries and research as well as the discoveries themselves. The show's website says that "Catalyst, Australia's flagship weekly science program, showcases Australian and global science discoveries".[http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/team/about.htm "At Catalyst we know that science is a dynamic force for change"], ABC website.

Examples of Catalyst featured segments include "Corporate Psychopaths",{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1360571.htm |title=Corporate Psychopaths |publisher= ABC TV Science |access-date=5 February 2008 |work=Catalyst|date=5 May 2005 }} "The Truth About Vitamins",{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1331225.htm |title= The Truth About Vitamins |publisher= ABC TV Science |access-date=5 February 2008 |work=Catalyst|date= 24 March 2005 }} and "Smell and Schizophrenia".{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1102403.htm |title=Smell and Schizophrenia |publisher= ABC TV Science |access-date=5 February 2008 |work=Catalyst|date=6 May 2004 }}

The show originally was broadcast in a 30-minute format. Following a series of controversies and an internal review of the program, the ABC announced in November 2016 that Catalyst would shift to a 60-minute format starting in 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2016/11/catalyst-staff-to-go-in-abc-revamp.html|title=Catalyst staff to go in ABC revamp|publisher=TV Tonight|date=2016-11-04|access-date=2016-11-04}}

The new format utilises out-of-house experts in their respective fields, presenting 60-minute in depth documentaries. Episodes have included "The Great Australian Bee Challenge",{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4928661.htm|title=Catalyst: The Great Australian Bee Challenge - Part One - ABC TV Science|website=www.abc.net.au|access-date=2019-01-22}} "Bionic Revolution",{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4894709.htm|title=Catalyst: Bionic Revolution - ABC TV Science|website=www.abc.net.au|date=23 October 2018 |access-date=2019-01-22}} "Feeding Australia"{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4877864.htm|title=Catalyst: Feeding Australia: Foods of tomorrow - ABC TV Science|website=www.abc.net.au|date=14 August 2018 |access-date=2019-01-22}} and "The Secret To Making Better Decisions".{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4792087.htm|title=Catalyst: The Secret To Making Better Decisions - ABC TV Science|website=www.abc.net.au|date=30 January 2018 |access-date=2019-01-22}}

Staff

Over Catalyst's history, staff have included:

=Presenters and reporters=

Paul West, former chef and farmer
Dr Caroline West, GP
Dr Sarah McKay, neuroscientist.
Prof Tamara Davis, astrophysicist
Dr Preeya Alexander, GP
Dr Ann Jones, 'nature nerd'
Angharad "Rad" Yeo, technology reporter
Matt Okine, comedian and actor
Tom Gleeson, comedian and physics grad
Myf Warhurst, radio announcer and television presenter
Dr Garnett Hall, veterinarian
Dr Niraj Lal, energy researcher and author
Lily Serna, mathematician
Nikki Stamp, cardiothoracic and transplant surgeon
Brad McKay, GP
Dr Joanna McMillan, dietitian
Dr Shalin Naik, stem cell biologist
Derek Muller, physicist
Jonica Newby, veterinarian
Jordan Nguyen, biomedical engineer
Graham Phillips, astrophysicist
Anja Taylor, model, actress, reporter and producer
Maryanne Demasi, investigative journalist and presenter
Alan Duffy, astronomer
Tim Flannery, palaeontologist and environmental activist

Controversy

A series of episodes ("Heart of the Matter", parts 1 and 2) broadcast in October 2013 which questioned the link between saturated fat, cholesterol and heart disease, as well as the widespread use of anti-cholesterol drugs known as statins, came under criticism from doctors and the National Heart Foundation of Australia.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3888657.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114034938/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3888657.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 November 2013|title=Catalyst challenges the mainstream|work=Media Watch|date=11 July 2018 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}} The foundation estimates that in the wake of those episodes up to 55,000 patients may have stopped taking their medication, leading to a potential increase in heart attacks and strokes over the next five years.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-11/heart-foundation-warns-patients-changing-meds-over-catalyst/5148802 |title=Catalyst fallout: Heart Foundation warns patients stopping anti-cholesterol drugs, statins |access-date=11 December 2013 |work=ABC News|date=10 December 2013 }} In May 2014 the ABC removed both episodes from its website,{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/abc-will-take-down-two-controversial-catalyst-episodes-on-heart-disease-20140512-zra0y.html|title=ABC will take down two controversial Catalyst episodes on heart disease|publisher=Theage.com.au |date=2014-05-12|access-date=2014-05-12}} after an internal review found that the second episode (but not the first) involved one breach of ABC standards on impartiality and there was a problem of omission of important information.{{cite web|url=http://about.abc.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Catalyst-Heart-of-the-Matter-ACA-Investigation-Report.pdf|title=Catalyst 'Heart of the Matter' Investigation Report|publisher=abc.net.au |date=2014-05-12|access-date=2014-05-12}}

"Wi-Fried?", an episode broadcast in February 2016 featuring American epidemiologist Devra Davis, courted further controversy by claiming that electromagnetic radiation emitted by devices such as mobile phones lead to an increased risk of brain cancer in heavy users, contrary to the mainstream view that exposure to such emissions is largely safe.{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/technology/gadgets/mobile-phones/experts-hit-out-at-claims-wifi-devices-cause-cancer/news-story/8e656d457176e162247bb466278529a8|title=Experts hit out at claims Wi-Fi devices cause cancer|publisher=News.com.au |date=2016-02-17|access-date=2016-02-17}} The show faced criticism from local experts, viewers and scientists disputing the episode's claims, with public health professor Simon Chapman stating that "this is not the first time Catalyst have aired a questionable episode, and there really needs to be a review of their editorial process".{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/feb/17/abc-catalyst-program-linking-mobile-phones-to-brain-cancer-should-never-have-aired|title=ABC Catalyst program linking mobile phones to brain cancer 'should never have aired'|work=The Guardian|date=2016-02-17|access-date=2016-02-17}} An investigation by the ABC's independent Audience and Consumer Affairs Unit found that the episode breached editorial policies standards on accuracy and impartiality, later leading to the withdrawal of the episode from the ABC website.{{Cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/abcs-catalyst-criticised-for-linking-wifi-with-brain-tumours-20160216-gmw45o.html|title=ABC's Catalyst criticised for linking Wi-Fi with brain tumours|last=Armitage|first=Catherine|date=2016-02-18|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-16}} The controversy led to the temporary suspension of reporter Dr. Maryanne Demasi from the show and is the second time since Heart of the Matter, Parts 1 and 2 to have breached editorial standards.{{Cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/news-and-current-affairs/catalyst-wifried-and-statins-reports-fail-viewers-with-bad-science-journalism-20160706-gpzrfc.html|title=Wi-Fried and statins: Catalyst fails its viewers with bad science journalism|last=Lallo|first=Michael|date=2016-07-07|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-16}} It also led to the ABC reviewing the future strategy and direction of the program, leading to format changes for the following series.{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/abc-shows-catalyst-presenter-dr-maryanne-suspended-after-review-of-wifried-story-on-wifi/news-story/30a4fe3d27262fc9b67268c0209118dc|title=ABC show's Catalyst presenter Dr Maryanne suspended after review of 'Wi-Fried' story on Wi-Fi|publisher=news.com.au |date=2016-07-06|access-date=2016-07-06}}