Comments on: Observer editor is to go: we are more possible than they could powerfully imagine

By: 1 in 58 Have Autism Redux: I Blame The Observer « Holford Watch: Patrick Holford, nutritionism and bad science

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:26:38 +0000

[...] though Observer Editor Roger Alton has had to stand down from his post, for matters relating to this fiasco, the Observer has not officially retracted that story or that [...]

By: jonhw

jonhw — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:55:02 +0000

Thanks for all the comments. Claire, blogged the Scotsman piece here.

By: jdc325

jdc325 — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 09:17:38 +0000

The GMC press office here: http://www.gmcpressoffice.org.uk/apps/news/events/index.php?key=0 has details of forthcoming hearings and you can check on a doctor’s status here: https://webcache.gmc-uk.org/ods/home.do

PS – the Nick Cohen piece is on CiF. Here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2200815,00.html

By: LeeT

LeeT — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:46:50 +0000

Does anyone have any idea when we will know of the outcome of Dr Andrew Wakefield’s disciplinary hearing at the GMC?

By: stever

stever — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:35:20 +0000

hopefully there will be a change at the Observer following the MMR disgrace/debacle. Never nice to see heads role and i dont think Alton has been all bad by any stretch. But the MMR bollocks, and more specifically the fasilure to rertract apologise appropriately was inexcusable.

There was a good Nick Cohen piece/debunk/critique of homeopathy and related politics in this weeks edition which maybe bodes well. Apparently he has been talking to some of our blogging colleagues.

By: Claire

Claire — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:12:50 +0000

apologies for diverting attention to another newspaper but have you seen this: http://living.scotsman.com/health.cfm?id=1727272007 Guess who? featuring:

“…RED ONIONS

THE ILLNESSES: asthma and eczema.

THE CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE: asthma and eczema are both inflammatory conditions that often occur due to unidentified allergies.

Inhalers delivering corticosteroid and beta-agonist drugs for asthma control the progression and symptoms of the illness.

Cortisone creams for eczema thin the skin, making you more vulnerable to infection.

• THE FOOD MEDICINE: quercetin is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory chemical found in red onions that may reduce allergic symptoms associated with asthma and eczema…”

By: draust

draust — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 01:52:50 +0000

The media pages seem to be suggesting that the Observer may well ultimately end up being more or less “the Sunday Guardian”. Which might imply merging staffs.

I wouldn’t say the Guardian’s science reporting is necessarily universally good, or even all that much better than the Observer. It is just a bit more howler-free. Perhaps the Guardian are a little more circumspect about letting “the news agenda” (transl: the news editor’s frantic desire to have a SCOOP to run) override the facts or analysis… which is really what we were criticizing the Observer for.

The Observer’s recent flailings are odd in some ways, as the quality Sundays were historically noted for prioritizing analysis and investigation over “hot news” – the point being that, sport aside, you couldn’t reliably find too much new news on a Sunday that hadn’t already been covered in the Saturdays.

By: Commius

Commius — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:11:07 +0000

Does anyone think that a change in editor may lead to an improvement in the quality of reporting, or is that just wishful thinking?

By: sharon

sharon — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 19:52:52 +0000

Blogging is great!
It’s a wonderful way of focusing attention and putting pressure on the media folk, when they try to pass bullshit off as news.