Media Bias Rears Ugly Head in Vaccine Controversy

Accuracy In Media ^ | February 3, 2015 | Cliff Kincaid

[Academiadotorg]

The media think they have discovered another issue to beat Republicans over the heads with—vaccines. But the media have no credibility on this, or any other major health issue. They do have, and often demonstrate, a partisan political bias on such controversial matters.

“Vaccination debate flares in GOP presidential race, alarming medical experts,” states The Washington Post in horror.

It’s yet another attempt to portray Republicans as “anti-science.” This follows the “climate change denier” mantra used against conservatives and Republicans for supporting pro-growth economic policies.

In the measles case, NBC news is attacking Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky for “giving credence” to an idea—“disputed by the majority of the scientific community”—that “vaccination can lead to mental disabilities.”

That’s interesting. As we reported back in 2006, NBC was aggressively covering the mercury-autism link involving vaccines. That was because Bob Wright, Vice Chairman and Executive Officer of GE and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NBC Universal, had a grandson who was autistic.

Going further back in time, consider a program on the link between vaccines and mental problems which was aired by NBC in 1994 and featured Katie Couric as a co-host.

[LeonardFMason]

Good Grief. EVERY REPUBLICAN/CONSERVATIVE Politician should rehearse the following answers and quit biting on “GOTCHA” questions from the LIBERAL media:

QUESTION:

Where do you stand on the vaccine controversy?

“Vaccines have saved countless lives. If there are questions about vaccines I will defer to the HEALTHCARE experts and other experts on Vaccines to provide the answers.”

NEXT QUESTION

Some are you illegal immigrants who were never vaccinated for the spread of measles. Are you?

“I am not blaming anybody. AGAIN, we have professionals and experts who are better equipped to answer questions about disease outbreaks and prevention.”

NEXT QUESTION

Did you have your children vaccinated?

“My children are none of your business.”

NEXT QUESTION

Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, blah, blah, blah have said blah, blah, blah about vaccines. How do you respond?

“Rand, Ted, whoever, are entitled to say what they want. I told you my view. If you have questions for them I suggest you ask them.”

How hard is this crap??!!! Any Republican/Conservative candidate that can’t manage “GOTCHA” questions has no business running for office.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

We don need no stinkin vaccinations!

[Boogieman]

“ridicule is not a winning argument”

That’s the argument that is going to be used by the left and the media, so people better get used to it.

[cripplecreek]

Plenty of FReepers using the same argument and its still a losing argument.

[Eagles6]

I wonder what affect the use of birth control pills have on developing children.

[skeeter]

Sadly, ridicule does win these days, reasoned debate suffers.

Once the media's preferred narrative has taken hold, it becomes a witch hunt.

[Mike Darancette]

There was an article where anti-vaccinators tend toward going to Whole Foods markets.

[Cowboy Bob]

Ridicule is the best weapon against liberals. It’s their Achilles heel.

Liberals despise being ridiculed - they believe they are perfect. They believe that everyone hates to be ridiculed, which is why it is their weapon of choice. Although no one enjoys being ridiculed, most people don’t go nuts. But liberals do!

Republicans should keep this in mind. Though ridicule has never won an argument, it is certain to drive liberals insane.

[Triple]

Totally agree -

Vaccines are and have been a great positive in public health.

Now, the individual health risks need to be addressed, when before the public health risk greatly outweighed the individual risk.

The next stage is screening for individuals at risk from vaccines, and giving them individualized treatment programs. It is no longer acceptable to just say the public health risk completely trumps any individual risks. We can develop these screens, and there is no reason not to.

Any one that claims vaccines are “settled science” and they do not harm any individuals knows nothing about science, because in science, there is NO settled science.

[AxeofCrom]

Agreed. The granola crowd/anti-GMO/non-scientist types are just as vocal about this as others.

My research, what little I have done, indicates strongly that autism is developed in the womb and has been linked to mothers over the age of 35 who give birth.

I couldn’t be prepared to argue that in court, but maybe some FR forum M.D.’s or epidemiologists might chime in here.

[srmorton]

..and why would you need one each year instead of just once?

There are many different strains of the flu virus and it also mutates very readily so it would be nearly impossible to create one vaccine that would protect you from all strains. This year's version is a case in point. The manufacturers incorrectly predicted which strains would be the predominant ones this flu season so the vaccine has not been as effective this year as in the past. It may lessen the severity, however, if you do get the flu. The virus that causes the common cold is another one which has so many strains that there most likely will never be a vaccine to prevent it.

[5th MEB]

Because the Flu Virus mutates and changes just about every year, and the shot you got last year might not work on this years virus.
That's not to say the vaccine manufacturers always get it right, this year the vaccine did not work on this years flu type.