Did that duck just sneeze?

I don't read newspapers much. Sometimes I watch 'What The Papers Say' to see what I've been missing. Last Saturday the programme featured some fine examples of tabloid scaremongering about bird flu.

I'm very sceptical about the threat posed by avian flu. I've heard a lot of quacking by ill-informed people, but there's a shortage of hard facts. Many journalists don't seem to be interested in seeking answers to the most fundamental questions. Perhaps they believe that generating panic sells more papers.

Today BBC Radio 4 broadcast an edition of 'You and Yours' dedicated entirely to avian flu. Whilst it still left a few important questions unanswered, I found it very informative. If you've an hour to spare, you can listen to it online here.

Comments

[ROB]

Journalists, seeking hard facts. You are asking a lot. Most of the time (and I am not a tabloid reader) they seek sensationalism, thats what sells papers. Perfect shot of the duck!