Media could be used to better effect than inducing fear

doi:10.1136/bmj.324.7329.115/a

BMJ 2002;324:115 ( 12 January )

Letters

Media could be used to better effect than inducing fear

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EDITOR $---$ Lightfoot et al discussed responses to bioterrorist threats.¹ One of the aspects that I found most interesting aboutthe recent anthrax releases in the United States is the apparentlydisproportionate fear that they have produced among the population,fuelled, I think, by the media coverage they have been given.

According to a report published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on 25 September 2001, in 1999, 28 874people died of firearms injuries, 19 102 of drug related causes,and 19 171 of alcohol related causes. Neither the statistics ondrugs deaths nor those on alcohol related deaths include accidents,homicides, or other causes indirectly related to their use. Giventhat the media are able to wield such massive influence, perhapsin the hoped for "new world order" they can do so in more usefulways.

Tim Kerruish, consultant, emergency medicine.
Emergency Department, Dunedin Hospital, 201 Great King Street, Private Bag 1921, Dunedin, New Zealand kerruish@voyager.co.nz

1.	Lightfoot N, Wale M, Spencer R, Nicoll A. Appropriate responses to bioterrorist threats. BMJ 2001; 323: 877-878[Free Full Text]. (20 October.)

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Appropriate responses to bioterrorist threats: Nigel Lightfoot, Martin Wale, Robert Spencer, and Angus Nicoll
BMJ 2001 323: 877-878. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]