This is despicably clueless false balance, in which an antivaccine activist who is not a scientist is paired with a real physician and expert. @RobertKennedyJr is antivaccine, his risible claim to be provaccine notwithstanding. 1/https://twitter.com/Renee_Eng/status/1202633550022860800 …
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This is why journalists should NEVER, EVER present stories in a format like this, with a crank on one side and a real expert on the other side, as though they are equals, equally knowledgeable and equally credible. 5/
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Sadly,
@Renee_Eng has failed as a journalist with this story. She has unwittingly amplified and promoted@RobertKennedyJr’s and@ChildrensHD’s antivaccine propaganda. She has served as a useful idiot for the antivaccine movement. 6/Show this thread -
Journalists, don’t do this. Don’t be duped, as
@Renee_Eng was. Don’t be a useful idiot for cranks, unwittingly helping to spread and normalize their pseudoscience. 7/Show this thread -
Scientists, physicians, and real experts (like
@rjriewerts), don’t let yourself be used like this. NEVER, EVER agree to appear as an equal with a crank like@RobertKennedyJr. Just say no. 8/Show this thread -
I know you think you can “win.” I know you think that by appearing with a crank like RFK Jr. you can neutralize or at least mitigate his message. You’re wrong. You can’t. Quite the opposite, in fact. By appearing with cranks you unwittingly elevate them. 9/
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Basically, by appearing with a crank like
@RobertKennedyJr you bring him closer to your level in the eyes of the public as you simultaneously lower yourself closer to his level. Your credibility rubs off on them. It’s not worth it. Don’t do it. 10/Show this thread -
And, to reiterate, journalists, don’t fall into the trap that
@Renee_Eng fell into. Don’t be useful idiots for antivaxxers. 11/11Show this thread -
Ack! Somehow I missed this part! “I know! After we have a doctor debate a crank over vaccines, let’s do a poorly worded Twitter poll to settle things!” 11a/11

https://twitter.com/renee_eng/status/1202633553588047872 …Show this thread
End of conversation
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Appearing with A real pediatrician...
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So anyone who has a vaccine injured child is lying?
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