False balance is the scourge of science reporting, and in The Vaccine Wars, we see how it’s possible to represent both sides without misleading viewers. The Frontline documentary, which first aired Tuesday, devotes about 60% of its time to the researchers and experts who are best qualified to speak. That leaves about 22 minutes for [...]
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The bumps and bruises of childhood can’t always be avoided, but there is no reason for children to suffer from infectious diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. Polio, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis) and other illnesses are often thought of as diseases of past generations. While today’s parents may not have experienced these diseases, [...]
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“Next time on Frontline, a movement against childhood vaccines.” Not “Frontline explores the controversy”, because among real scientists there is no controversy. Not “a movement for safer vaccines”, because the proponents of such a movement would respect scientific consensus over misguided ideology. Frontline, as usual, is calling it like it is. Editors, watch and learn.
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Kudos to CBS and 60 Minutes for exposing a couple of con men who prey on the sick and disabled. Part One Scott Pelley shows us how it’s done when he ambushes two stem cell ghouls, and calls one guy a con man to his face. Part Two The rest of the news and entertainment [...]
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When Matt Lauer tells us “April is Autism Awareness Month”, there’s a good chance that a fawning celebrity interview set to treacly piano music will follow. Such was the case when The Today Show’s host interviewed Rodney and Holly Peete about their autistic son, Rodney, Jr. Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News [...]
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Last night I saw upon the stair A little man who wasn’t there He wasn’t there again today Oh, how I wish he’d go away* JB Handley used to be the news and entertainment media’s go-t0 guy for acerbic quotes about vaccines and autism, or what editors call “balance”. The founder of Generation Rescue, arguably [...]
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