|
|
People are talking
Why all GE foods
should be labeled
|
|
Yes on 27
Are News Corporations Telling theTruth About
Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods?
In 2001, the prestigious “Goldman Environmental
Prize” www.goldmanprize.org
was awarded to six environmental heroes, including two journalists
who upheld truth about genetically engineered food and consequently
lost their jobs.
“In late 1996, journalists Jane Akre
and Steve Wilson began investigating rBGH, the
genetically modified growth hormone American dairies have been injecting
into their cows. As investigative reporters for the Fox Television
affiliate in Tampa, Florida, they discovered that while the hormone
had been banned in Canada, Europe and most other countries, millions
of Americans were unknowingly drinking milk from rBGH-treated cows.
The duo documented how the hormone, which can harm cows, was approved
by the government as a veterinary drug without adequately testing
its effects on children and adults who drink rBGH milk. They also
uncovered studies linking its effects to cancer in humans. Just
before broadcast, the station cancelled the widely promoted reports
after Monsanto, the hormone manufacturer, threatened Fox News with
"dire consequences" if the stories aired. Under pressure
from Fox lawyers, the husband-and-wife team rewrote the story more
than 80 times. After threats of dismissal and offers of six-figure
sums to drop their ethical objections and keep quiet, they were
fired in December 1997. In 1998, Akre won a suit against Fox for
violating Florida’s Whistleblower Law, which makes it illegal
to retaliate against a worker who threatens to reveal employer misconduct…”.
http://www.goldmanprize.org/recipients/
recipientProfile.cfm?recipientID=106 , 8/23/02
Other Awards
“BOULDER, Colo ..Jane Akre and Steve Wilson have
received a special award for Courage in Journalism from the Alliance
for Democracy”, --www.foxbghsuit.com,
(4/30/99)
“WASHINGTON, D.C. …The Joe A. Calloway
Award for Civic Courage was presented to [Akre and Wilson] …by
the Shafeek Nader Trust For The Community Interest”.--www.foxbghsuit.com,
(12/16/98)
“LOS ANGELES - The national Society of Professional
Journalists (SPJ) presented [Akre and Wilson] its Award for Ethics…only
the fourth time the group has bestowed such an ethics honor in its
89-year history’.” -www.foxbghsuit.com,
(10/24/98)
|
|
