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Health News Reporting: Reply
- Miriam Schuchman, MD; and
- Michael S. Wilkes, MD, PhD
- State University of New York at Buffalo; Buffalo, NY 14215 University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA 90095
The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:
•Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references
•Type with double-spacing
•Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.
Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.
Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.
IN RESPONSE:
It's true that coverage of a scientific study or a clinical event by a leading news outlet can stimulate a surge of interest by smaller media outlets around the country. This gives a few reporters at such places as The New York Times or “ABC News” a certain amount of influence over national media coverage. In addition, reporters need close contacts with well-placed persons (their sources). To the extent that any one source is relied on too heavily, news reporting may seem biased. Journalists can best protect themselves against biased reporting by turning to an array of qualified experts able to offer diverse opinions. This is not always so easy because some medical scientists would rather not speak to the press.
Miriam Schuchman, MD
State University of New York at Buffalo; Buffalo, NY 14215
Michael S. Wilkes, MD, PhD
University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Copyright ©2004 by the American College of Physicians
