Fiona Fox Calls for Better Science Reporting

[Merry]

Fiona Fox, chief executive of the Science Media Centre in the UK -- and pal of Simon Wessely! -- calls for better reporting of science news:


http://www.slate.com/articles/healt...urnalism_guidelines_might_be_a_good_idea.html


Stay calm.

 

[Enid]

Thanks Merry - I wouldn't trust the Science Media Centre (UK) any more than any other journalists - open to the medical luvvies (mostly psychos) to misconstrue real illness over decades but will try to stay calm. ! Fox, foxy (apt) no interest in sufferers but simply to regain some respectability now. We are not impressed by these devious "b.........s".

 

[ukxmrv]

The SMC did the publicity for the UK PACE trial. They hosted a press conference and did a press briefing when it was released.

 

[floydguy]

Sounds too much like the Ministry of Truth to me. The risks of corruption and elite group think are way too high. Who monitors the SMC?

 

[ukxmrv]

The SMC has moved to the Welcome Trust building in London now. They get funded partly from this source.

Yes, Ministry for scientifc truth indeed.

 

[Sean]

My irony meter just exploded.

 

[Enid]

I really don't care who it is who sorts out the miasma of real medicine in the UK as long as they do - grasp science as research comes in (ie learn as we do watching research findings) - stay away from invested interests (often personal) and as scientists alone seek understanding of basic human/viral/immune/neurological dysfunction for thousands (millions) afflicted.

Fox as they say the best method of defence is attack it doesn't fool or impress us until recognised as the overwhelming illness ME is. Far too complex for those of us who follow through the science can tell you.

 

[Desdinova]

IMO this is a poor fluff and sale attempt. Trying to connect the UK tabloid news corruption and illegal activities scandal to a push for better reporting on science issues especially medical science I just don't see it personally. This has all the potential of setting up a rules and measure approach at reporting science. All in order to silence dissenting scientific views and any reporters that would dare report on them in a favorable way or even on of neutral non-bias.

 

[Snow Leopard]

Here is a scientists perspective on improving the reporting of science:
http://morganonscience.com/ping-fm/global-warming-as-a-science-marketing-blunder/#

 

[Enid]

Ok Snow Leopard - science seems to be at the moment whatever figures (are they correct - you have looked into in the past) correct. I guess we do not be fooled by "here's my figures" too much any more. The ignorant have played that game too long. I'm all for Docs and however small their findings may appear to be to the grand UK medical establishment points the not so stupid people like me (held idiots in the UK) forward.

I can personally attest to the ignorance of all around - Docs, specialists (whilst MRI abnormalities) forced into psychiatry - I (though passing out) 1000 per cent more intelligent. Why ? I will fight every inch of the way for all who have go through that. Not a clue here in the UK.

 

[alex3619]

If one who commits a felony is a felon, these people are irons. What they argue for is what they are not doing in relation to ME. Spin and distortion and omission of critical contrary data and studies are the norm coming out of the UK media. Bye, Alex

 

[Merry]

If one who commits a felony is a felon, these people are irons. Alex

Good one, Alex!

 

[biophile]

From Wikipedia on Fiona Fox: She is the director of the Science Media Centre and a former leading member of the Revolutionary Communist Party. [...] The credibility of the Science Media Centre has been questioned, mainly on the basis of the political affiliations of Fiona Fox, and in particular Fox's links to the Living Marxism group. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiona_Fox_(UK_press_officer))

From Wikipedia on Living Marxism: Living Marxism's introduction summarised their outlook as: "We live in an age of caution and conformism, when critical opinions can be outlawed as 'extremism' and anything new can be rubbished as 'too risky'. Ours is an age of low expectations, when we are always being told what is bad for us, and life seems limited on all sides by restrictions, guidelines and regulations. The spirit of LM is to go against the grain: to oppose all censorship, bans and codes of conduct; to stand up for social and scientific experimentation; to insist that we have the right to live as autonomous adults who take responsibility for our own affairs. These are basic human values that cannot be compromised if we are ever going to create a world fit for people." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Marxism)

From Wikipedia on Science Media Centre: Director Fiona Fox is a former member of the Revolutionary Communist Party, a former contributor to its magazine Living Marxism and a current contributor to Spiked, a website set up by former members of the RCP. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Media_Centre)

 

[Sean]

Living Marxism, Revolutionary Communist Party, Science Media Centre, Spiked...

A strange and troubling (and rather incestuous) CV.