Bad Journalism: Possible Leprosy Outbreak in Arkansas

This is a report that aired on Channel 5, KFSM, on 2/7/08, in Springdale, Arkansas

Arkansas Health Department Response:
http://www.healthyarkansas.com/news/pr_tb_020808.html

Mary Marsh Reporting

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• KFSM
• Leprosy
• Hansen's
• Disease
• Bridget
• Schultz
• Dr.
• Jennifer
• Bingham
• Mayoral
• Candidate
• Nancy
• Jenkins
• Springdale
• AR

[nussbaum73]

"what can people do, mary?" >> "PANIC. THEY CAN PANIC. ALSO THEY CAN TRY TO MOB SOME IMMIGRANTS. BUT MAINLY, PANIC because we made this hasty, un-understandable, xenophobic, racist, information-less new report. THANKS"

[nussbaum73]

how pathetic -- this station should be embarrassed

[ctbingham]

It's bad journalism because there isn't 9 cases in Springdale, there have been 9 cases seen in all of Arkasas in the past, over many years. Just like always the news changed it to make it more interesting.

[blahsky]

Apparently, nothing near as good as you. The story says we are on the verge of a Leprosy Outbreak could blossom to a epidemic. This is 100% untrue. Do most cases come from overseas? Yes. Is it something you should worry about? No. Its as simple as that. Maybe your too simple minded (stupid) to understand what I am saying.

[slincolnwx]

This IS irresponsible journalism... no ifs, ands, or buts. Leprosy is not a threat to 95% of humans. This station relied on one doctor, and did not get the normal "2 sources" that journalists normally go after. The doctor used looked like a family doctor, not an infection disease specialist. This is a rare disease, so I assume that the family doctor wasn't so much an expert.

[CaJeffO]

blahsky - What are you smoking????? Here's the truth.

newswithviews(D0T)com/Cosman/m­adeleine3.htm

newswithviews(DOT)com/Cosman/m­adeleineA.htm

AND, PAL - THIS DOES NOT COVER THE PAST 2 YEARS. Wake up.

[blahsky]

The Arkansas Dept of Health says 95% of all humans are immune from Leprosy. These 9 people are taking medication and are spread out over 3 counties and several nationalities. KFSM has even fully retracted their story.

[bluefugate2]

Why is this irresponsible journalism? It may be poorly reported, but the essential facts are present. If the infected persons are nationals of the Marshall Islands or naturalized American citizens born in the Marshall Islands shouldn't that be a part of the story? Quoting a politician who has an obvious axe to grind may be distasteful, but it does not detract from the essential fact content of the story. Is the spread of Leprosy pneumonic? If so, this is a serious public health problem.

[16kinders]

First tornadoes in Arkansas and Tennessee. Those states voted for Hillary on Super Tuesday. Now, a report of 9 cases of Leprosy in Springdale, Ak.. Of all states in the US!!

[blahsky]

If you noticed on the top right, this story was wrong. Everything was wrong. There is no outbreak and there is no chance of one. This crappy little tv station started a panic because they wanted to try and get a few extra ratings points.