New
York Times Mercury Story Erroneous
Misinformation and Alarmist Journalism
Causing Public Harm
WASHINGTON,
D.C. (January 24, 2008) In a pair of poorly-sourced, sensationalized
articles in Wednesday's New York Times, reporter Marian Burros
advanced erroneous and distorted information on sushi and seafood
that is at odds with widely accepted science. The story is unreliable
and contradicts broadly held medical advice that tuna and other
kinds of fish are an essential part of a healthy diet. The Times
story is alarmist, activist-driven journalism at its worst and
should be treated with extreme skepticism.
The
National Fisheries Institute will be holding a press conference
by phone at 3PM this afternoon to detail the specific errors
and other breaches in journalism standards. NFI will also issue
an advisory on the public health facts at issue to provide guidance
for consumers and others impacted by the misinformation contained
in the Times story. An authoritative risk assessment was entirely
omitted from the Times story and NFI will cite the latest independent
scientific analysis to put that risk in accurate perspective.
"On
issues of public health, the standards for accuracy and objectivity
ought to be at their highest," said Mary Anne Hansan Vice
President NFI. "Instead the Times produced a wildly inaccurate,
repeatedly erroneous story that has endangered critical public
understanding of fish consumption. We intend to hold them accountable
for this journalism misconduct and to set the record straight."
TODAY:
Phone Press Conference and Briefing to Debunk NYT Reporting
WHEN:
Thursday, January 24, 3:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
WHO:
Mary Anne Hansan, Vice President Communications National
Fisheries Institute
Randi Thomas, Vice President Sustainability and Regulatory
Affairs National Fisheries Institute
HOW:
Dial-in Number: 888-632-5950 (Request NFI conference call)
FORMAT:
Public advisory and specifics on NYT errors followed by Q&A
and discussion.
The
National Fisheries Institute (NFI) is the nation's
leading advocacy organization for the seafood industry. Its
member companies represent every element of the industry from
the fishing vessels at sea to the national seafood restaurant
chains.
Additional Background and Sources: www.AboutSeafood.com.