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Moving right along, about a month later, to my surprise yet another of Dr. Markel's statements of fact was
debunked. In his NewsHour article, he claimed Hollywood movie star Halle Berry was saved from choking by the
use of the Heimlich maneuver.
But in an August 14 Hollywood Reporter expose by staff reporter Seth Abramovitch, Ms. Berry denied the claim.
Needless to say, fact-checking doesn't get much more unequivocal than that. So on August 20, I submitted a
letter to PBS NewsHour managing editor Judy Woodruff. In addition to the requested corrections I'd submitted
to Dr. Merkel and Ms. Myers, I provided Ms. Woodruff with the Hollywood Reporter article and requested a
published correction to Dr. Markel's bogus claim about Ms. Berry. I also requested that Ms. Woodruff review the
reporting and editing of Dr. Markel's NewsHour article and let me know the results of her findings.*
Since then I've sent several courtesy follow-up e-mails to Ms. Woodruff and received confirmations of receipt
(copies on request). I've also left a couple of voice messages with Ms. Woodruff's assistant, Leah Nagy. However,
I've never received a response from Ms. Woodruff or any other PBS employees.
It seemed unlikely that Ms. Woodruff intended to respond, so in mid-November I again e-mailed Mr. Getler. I
sent him the Hollywood Reporter article and asked if on my behalf he would address Dr. Markel's false claim
about Ms. Berry. That's all I requested -- nothing more. Via e-mail, he promptly refused (copy on request).
I hope that information provides the context you requested.
Via page 6 of PBS's Editorial Standards and Policies, here's more context: http://www.pbs.org/about/editorialstandards/
B. Accuracy
The honesty and integrity of informational content depends heavily upon its factual accuracy. Every effort
must be made to assure that content is presented accurately and in context. Programs, Digital Content,
and other content containing editorials, analysis, commentary, and points of view must be held to the
same standards of factual accuracy as news reports. A commitment to accuracy and transparency
requires the correction of inaccuracies and errors in a public and visible manner. These principles also
require that PBS, Stations and Producers actively respond to feedback and questions from audiences.
PBS may undertake independent verification of the accuracy of content submitted to it. Producers of
informational content must exercise extreme care in verifying information, especially as it may relate to
accusations of wrongdoing, and be prepared to correct material errors. PBS will reject content that, in its
judgment, fails to meet PBS's standard of accuracy.
Here's what I'm hoping to learn:
Are the guidelines voluntary or compulsory for PBS employees? If they're compulsory, what's the name and job
title of the employee responsible for enforcing them? If they're voluntary, this is to request that PBS publish that
information in the guidelines and on the network's website.
As you may have gathered, I take this matter seriously. In addition to the problematic reporting, editing, and
oversight concerns I've described, your network's Editorial Standards and Guidelines appear to be providing
false and misleading information to the public, therefore I'm copying my congressman and PBS officials.
Thanks for your continued attention and I look forward to your reply, preferably by Tuesday, January 13. If you
need more time, please advise and I'll do my best to accommodate.
Sincerely,
Peter
Peter M. Heimlich
3630 River Hollow Run
Peachtree Corners, GA 30096
ph: (208)474-7283
website: http://medfraud.info
blog: http://the-sidebar.com
e-mail: peter.heimlich@gmail.com
* All of the above information is detailed/documented in this August 21 item I blogged: http://www.thesidebar.com/2014/08/what-do-prominent-medical.html
cc:
The Hon. Rob Woodall, U.S. House of Representatives (GA-7th District)
Donald A. Baer, Chair, PBS Board of Directors
Paula A. Kerger, PBS President and CEO
Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter
For my blog I'm reporting an item about PBS's Editorial Standards and
Policies posted here: http://www.pbs.org/about/editorial-standards/
Would you please put me in touch with the appropriate staffer in your
department who can answer my questions?
Cheers, Peter
Peter M. Heimlich
Atlanta
ph: (208)474-7283
website: http://medfraud.info
blog: http://the-sidebar.com
e-mail: peter.heimlich@gmail.com