“WIN TV breached for vaccination story” – ACMA

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has handed down its decision on WIN News’ terrible mistake – which it refused to acknowledge – of including anti-vaccine zealot Meryl Dorey in a news segment during a Measles outbreak in South Western Sydney. Dorey raised the autism/vaccines zombie, and the community complained. That execrable piece of false balance made it all the way to Media Watch:

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Here is the ACMA Press Release, in full:

ACMA media release 41/2013 – 7 June

WIN Television NSW Pty Ltd (WIN TV) breached two provisions of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice in a news report on WIN News Illawarra about measles vaccination that misled its audience.

The report was broadcast on 16 August 2012 and concerned an outbreak of measles in south-western Sydney.

Included in the story was the following unqualified statement made by a non-expert: ‘All vaccinations, in the medical literature, have been linked with the possibility of causing autism…’

The Australian Communications and Media Authority found that by broadcasting that statement and by conveying a higher level of controversy and uncertainty about immunisation than was justified by the facts, WIN TV had failed to broadcast factual material accurately.

‘The story would have misled an ordinary viewer about the level of risk of vaccinating children,’ said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman.

The ACMA also found that WIN TV did not make reasonable efforts to correct the significant error of fact.

‘While the ACMA has no power to direct the making of an on-air corrective statement, given the circumstances of this case and the important public health issues involved, the ACMA recommended to WIN TV that it make an on-air statement concerning the ACMA’s findings,’ added Mr Chapman.

The licensee has, however, declined to take this opportunity to clarify on air this important public health issue, one which no doubt remains of ongoing concern to its audience and the wider Australian public.  The licensee offered to provide a link on its website to the ACMA’s finding.

A link to investigation report 2883 can be found here.

For more information please contact: Emma Rossi, Media Manager, (02) 9334 7719 and 0434 652 063 or media@acma.gov.au.

Pretty decisive. Thank you ACMA. Thank you Media Watch.

It is a pity WIN News didn’t take the opportunity to correct the record on-air. This is what it’s viewers deserve, especially after such recalcitrance.

About reasonable hank

I'm reasonable, mostly.
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8 Responses to “WIN TV breached for vaccination story” – ACMA

  1. Ken McLeod says:

    Channel 7 did the same recently in their “Sunrise ” program* where they put an anti-vaccine crank on with Professor of Pediatrics, Robert Booy. That piece was just as damaging as the WIN TV piece. They never learn.

    * http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/watch/17307855/the-immunisation-debate/

    • Andy says:

      And Seven affiliate GWN7 did it with Judy Wilyman (PhD wannabe). And we see now why they don’t care. Even if people lodge complaints, nothing happens – unless you’re an immature DJ involved in the suicide of a British nurse… then you get awarded “Top Jock”.

  2. tuxcomputers says:

    I remember that particular incident, she went WAY beyond the usual stupid of MMR causes autism to say that ALL vaccines are linked to autism…. she really out did the usual brain dead statement that day.

  3. mochuck says:

    Agreed tux. She turned the stupid up to 11 that day (which is also known as a Viera)

  4. Andy says:

    Media Watch cover ACMA ruling. WIN TV still ignore the matter.

  5. Pingback: Media Watch, WIN TV, and the anti-vaccine Meryl Dorey | reasonablehank

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