Don't get shirty with me
Wednesday, June 9, 2010 This morning, more than a little cheesed off that not a single national newspaper had balanced its coverage of the 'smoking ban and heart attacks' story with a comment from Forest (or anyone else), I decided to contact the health correspondents responsible for the reports.
My core message was the same each time. So far only one journalist has bothered to reply and here is the correspondence to date, beginning with my initial email. Sadly, he/she will have to remain anonymous:
SC to health correspondent (HC):
Dear xx, I am disappointed that you didn't pick up the phone and invite Forest - or anyone else who may have had a contrary opinion - to comment on the Bath University study that suggests that "Smokefree legislation linked to drop in admissions for heart attacks".
Too late now but if you are interested I have written about it HERE. I also recommend that you read THIS blog post by Chris Snowdon, author of Velvet Glove Iron Fist: A History of Anti-Smoking.
Chris's book is very good. Well written and and researched. If you have a genuine interest in the smoking debate, I recommend it to you.
HC to SC:
Before you get shirty with me, I can tell you that your comment was filed as soon as you sent it. 5.30pm. I assume it wasn't used for reasons of space as it came so late.
SC to HC:
The point is, you didn't bother to call us. You waited for us to contact you when here was a story crying out for another point of view.
We only got notice of the study/press release at 3.30 via the BBC. We had to read it first before responding. That's why we were "late".
Had you contacted us earlier with a copy of the embargoed press release, which I assume you had in your possession much earlier, that would not have been a problem.
HC to SC:
You can always ring me.
SC to HC:
I will but there has to be a reason to call you and that means journalists like you alerting people like me to the fact that there is a story to comment on. Curiously enough we're not on the BMA/ASH/BMJ media mailing list so we rely on journalists forwarding press releases so we can comment.
Sometimes I just want to scream ... !!
Reader Comments (5)
http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/foodforsport/worldcup2010/
Ask your health correspondents if they can justify the drivel in this report from an expensive quango. Not content with attacking us smokers they now want football fans to drink mineral water while eating Feta cheese and apples during the matches.
How much do these nutters cost us every year? Like ASH and the other health fascists they are wasting fortunes of money printing lies and rubbish. The sooner Cameron delivers on his promise of a 'bonfire of the Quangos' the better.
Or is he is going to bottle it and bow down to the 'Health Lobby' now that he has his grip on power?
Simon, why aren't you on the ASH et al media release list? I think you should be, Surely you send ASH your missives... ?
HC sounds verrry much on the defensive quite possibly because he knows that it's all bollocks but isn't allowed to actually include any criticism in 'reporting' it. It's propaganda, not news.
"Keep an eye on the drink"
Na, just scoop it and go out for a fag...
Joyce -
There will always be (at least) ten Collaborationists for every Resister.
And modern 'journalism' throws up few heroes.
Most of them are just office drones these days, anyway.
Nixon would have loved it......................................................