Examiner.com is an interesting publishing model that hints at the future of journalism; citizen reporters lending their eyes, ears and expertise to an evolving, organic news site. But what can sound good in theory can go completely off the tracks in practice. The proverbial inmates are running the asylum over at Examiner.com and its coverage of seafood science is evidence of that.
I have some medical advice that Dr. Oz might be interested in hearing about.
You see, it’s quite possible that his ears are burning these days and that might mean one of two things; one, he might need tympanometry which tests for ear infections or two, he might just need to log on to the internet because it would appear people are talking about him and he doesn’t know it.
To help him with this condition I wrote to his Executive Producer and of course his lawyer.
Quick Update: So, we got Health Day's attention and they produced, as promised, another article that was a little less bias and a little more inclusive this time around. Their re-write can be found here.
As you might know from this blog we’ve had a number of interactions with A & E’s History and the Dr. Oz show in the past few weeks. The two case studies stand in stark contrast to each other and now some independent arbiters are weighing in.
You may come across a Health Day article about the UNLV study we told you about last week.
The History Channel is home to some world class programs but in last night's episode of Modern Marvels the highly regarded outfit made some world class mistakes. In keeping with its highly regarded reputation we expect producers there to correct their mistakes and the record.
See our letter to History via A & E Television Networks below:
February 5, 2010
Imagine this; you hear your doctor dispensing questionable advice that you know contradicts the latest science and demonstrably confuses two distinctly different topics. So, you call him on it.
What does he do?
He excuses himself from the exam room and sends in his lawyer to tell you everything is oaky and that his recommendations have been thoroughly researched by a phantom staff of "research professionals."
Just the other day a question appeared on Yahoo Answers that asked:
What is up with Mercury and Fish? If fish is so bad for people, why have Asian cultures eaten it for thousands of years with no negative impact? I love fish, it is great to lose weight and delicious. I am wondering why the government, and many others, are saying to limit our consumption of fish. If anybody knows the truth about what is going on please let me know.
Paging Dr. Oz...
February 1, 2010
Laurie Rich
Executive Producer
ZoCo Productions, LLC
VIA Email c/o Jackie Barth
Dear Ms. Rich,
I am writing to confirm receipt of my January 27th letter expressing concerns about serious scientific inaccuracies in Dr. Oz's January 26, 2010 segment on fish consumption and mercury.
Any dentist worth his salt (or sugar) can tell you the age old joke that reads something like, "ignore your teeth and they'll go away." However, the same cannot be said for NFI:
February 1, 2010
Bill Felling
National News Editor
CBS News
VIA Email
Dear Mr. Felling,
