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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In addition,
@RobertKennedyJr is lying or ignorant (take your pick) when he claims that “not a single one” of the vaccines on the schedule has been tested against a saline placebo, it’s a claim easily refuted by a search of PubMed.
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Also,
@rjriewerts made a huge mistake agreeing to appear under these conditions with@Renee_Eng . It was a no-win situation. Even if he were to crush@RobertKennedyJr’s antivax BS, RFK, Jr. still wins. 3/2 replies 5 retweets 33 likesShow this thread -
Basically, by appearing with A.V. real pediatrician, RFK, Jr. successfully gives the false impression that there is an actual scientific debate about whether vaccines cause the harms attributed to them by antivaxxers when there is not. 4/
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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. 6/1 reply 8 retweets 45 likesShow 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. 7/2 replies 6 retweets 40 likesShow 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. 8/1 reply 6 retweets 36 likesShow 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/
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And, to reiterate, journalists, don’t fall into the trap that
@Renee_Eng fell into. Don’t be useful idiots for antivaxxers. 11/114 replies 7 retweets 53 likesShow this thread -
David Gorski, MD, PhD Retweeted Renee Eng
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 …David Gorski, MD, PhD added,
Renee EngVerified account @Renee_EngSome people, like@RobertKennedyJr, are concerned#vaccines don't have sufficient safety testing. Others, like Dr. Robert Riewerts w/@KPSCALnews &@aboutKP, claim they are proven safe. We discuss this on#InFocusCA on@SpecNews1SoCal. Should vaccines be subject to more testing?Show this thread3 replies 4 retweets 19 likesShow this thread
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