"On the July 31 edition of National Public Radio's Morning Edition, reporter Jacqueline Froelich aired -- without challenge -- Arkansas Republican state Sen. Jim Holt's assertion that 'there are thousands of studies, actually ... over 10,000' that show 'the homosexual family or the environment is problematic for the child.' Froelich aired Holt's remark during a report on the Arkansas Supreme Court's recent ruling that the state's regulation banning gays from becoming foster parents is unconstitutional. Froelich did not address Holt's dubious figure of 10,000 studies, which would be possible only if a new study reaching that conclusion had been released every day for the past 27 years. Froelich also failed to mention that numerous scientific studies, including research from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Psychological Association (APA), support the Arkansas Supreme Court's ruling."I'm a longtime listener of NPR and one thing I like about it is that it doesn't insult my intelligence by telling me how obviously absurd an obviously absurd assertion is. They just let it dangle there, with the evident of letting you get it if you do, and not much caring if you don't.
As I say, I like that it dosen't insult my intelligence, but that approach may be failing to properly inform the electorate. Of course, they may well be suffering under the "stewardship" of some political hack who wants to ensure "more balanced reporting."
In which case, of course, this sort of reporting lets those smart enough to read between the lines discern the truth, while leaving the stupid remain ignorant.
This is exactly how the intellectuals of the former Soviet Union had to speak to one another in the presence of their political masters.
How easy it is to slip into habits we once so proudly mocked.
tag: censorship, free speech, NPR, false statements, james dobson, 10000 studies
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