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Rapid Responses: Rapid Responses published:
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Not single spies, but in battalions
- Tony Delamothe (3 March 2006)
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Re: Not single spies, but in battalions
- susanne mccabe (5 March 2006)
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Tony Delamothe, deputy editor, BMJ BMA House, Tavistock Sq, London WC1H 9JR
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The Globe and Mail takes the story on. See: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060301.wcmaj0301/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth,Science,National,Front/home (make sure you copy all the characters into your address bar, without extra spaces). Competing interests: I incline to Thomas Jefferson's view that "Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost." |
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susanne mccabe, Tai Chi Teacher CF5 6SU
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Unfortunately Thomas Jefferson's views do not guarantee an ethical press. The press needs some a degree of outside monitoring so that for example all declarations of interest are revealed clearly to readers. The BMJ's guidelines go quite some way to acheiving this whilst limiting what declarations are made mandatory. In general there is probably greater transparency nowadays but in the case of one local newpaper there is no declaration at all of the editor's familial relationship with a Chair of a Primary Care Trust even though many stories around health are published in the paper.The pitfalls include a potential reluctance to publish critical stories and letters which could cause embarrassment, greater access to publication by some sections of that community and a lack of expression of a diversity of views. If a declaration of 'connection' as an 'interest' was obligitory in all sections of the press, it would be useful. As well as the freedom to publish as advocated by Jefferson,the press has great control over what is not reported. Competing interests: None declared |
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