Unfortunately, false balance is still with us, as this story demonstrates. Indeed, since the outbreaks, I've noticed an uptick in these sorts of stories that present emotional anecdotes alongside science, this implying equivalence or profile an antivaxer too sympathetically. 2/
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Cue references to Del Bigtree's flowing gray hair, passion, and charisma.

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I know it's difficult for some journalists to grasp, but there are issues where there are not two sides to the story. This is one. Worse, the traditional structure of antivax claim followed by scientist or doctor refuting claim can actually reinforce the claim. 4/
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When it comes to conspiracy theory-based movements like the antivax movement, facts don’t matter, and presenting antivaccine pseudoscience side-by-side with science elevates the pseudoscience, no matter how much refutation to antivax pseudoscience is included. 5/
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Again, I know it's counterintuitive, but it's true. Just ask
@MarkHoofnagle. 6/6Show this thread -
Ack! How did I miss this nauseating display of credulity regarding antivaccine pediatrician Dr. Paul Thomas.
6a/6https://twitter.com/genevievereaume/status/1128000660685746176 …
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Here's a hint. Thomas' "vaxed/unvaxed" study is poorly designed nonsense, but she still reports it and even let's him brash about how he's trying to get it published!
6b/6https://twitter.com/genevievereaume/status/1128000660685746176 …
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Here's what I mean. 6c/6https://respectfulinsolence.com/2019/01/25/ipak-running-dubious-study/ …
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Let's just say there's a reason why I refer to Dr. Paul Thomas as a rising star in the antivaccine movement, and in this story he was credulously treated as another potentially valid viewpoint. 6d/6https://respectfulinsolence.com/2018/03/09/dr-paul-thomas-newest-antivaccine-pediatrician-making-name-himself/ …
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In my book Not Trivial, I explain that the false balance approach to reporting is a way for bad journalists to pretend to be objective.http://nottrivialbook.com
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