For Immediate Release:
ABC/Nightline’s Reporter “Wright” Goes Left Field with Biased Reporting.
Contact: Jeanne Ohm, DC
ICPA Executive Director
In regards to the recent ABC news Nightline special “Crack! Kids Head to the Chiropractor”, newscaster David Wright included a brief interview with Lonnie Zeltzer, MD to represent the medical perspective. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that Dr Zeltzer’s comments were edited by Wright, taken out of context and made to appear adversarial towards chiropractic.
In an exclusive piece, soon to be made available in ICPA’s magazine, Pathways, Dr Zeltzer candidly admitted that ABC interviewer edited her comments making her appear to be adverse towards chiropractic for children. In the Pathways interview with Dr Ohm, Dr Zeltzer repeatedly stated her interest and support of chiropractic care in all populations. In referring to adverse effects of children under chiropractic care, Dr Zeltzer stated that ABC interviewer, David Wright was aggressive to disclose adverse effects associated with chiropractic. Dr Zeltzer reported to Dr Ohm that in the ABC interview, she mentioned to David Wright a study out of Edmonton that reviewed the literature on spinal manipulation of children. Although she specifically told Wright that this study referred to spinal manipulation, not specific chiropractic care, Wright took the liberty to rearrange her response to intentionally imply chiropractic care of children causes paralysis.
In strong contrast, a recent piece also reported by ABC’s Wright titled, “Acupuncture for Kids: parents turning to holistic medicine when traditional treatments aren’t enough” was presented by Wright without his sarcastic commentary, forced voice tones and the sensationalized background music shown in the chiropractic piece. Additionally, ABC Good Morning America added significant airtime for the integrative MD to discuss the importance of “bridging the gap”.
Dr Ohm concludes: “The chiropractic profession has experienced this type of biased reporting repeatedly where interviewers seem to thrive by creating adversity between medical doctors and chiropractors. One can only wonder, what is the source of this prejudiced agenda? Regardless, such irresponsible conduct creates diversity, animosity, and insults the intelligence of the informed American parent. I invite chiropractors and parents to follow up:
- Listen to the ABC Nightline (March 3, 2009). Notice the sensational tone, and the question he asks Dr Zeltzer prior to her paralysis remark. It implied, but did not say chiropractic. http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6994288
- Read ICPA’s Research Director’s response to the Edmonton study, its reference to paralysis and the paper’s conclusion: http://www.icpa4kids.com/research/ICPA_AAP_Article.htm
- Read ICPA’s Initial response to Nightline: http://www.icpa4kids.com/pedEx/Nightline_Response.htm
- Watch the recent piece on ABC News (April 5, 2009) about acupuncture for children. Note this is the same David Wright-- be alert to the difference in tone of voice, the lack of sensationalism and the fact that he offered unbiased and unedited support from a medical doctor: http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=12826245
- View this piece on NBC which aired April 4, 2009 including an unsubstantiated, opinion from a medical doctor. http://www.nbcwashington.com/health/resources/Chiropractors_For_Kids__Washington_DC.html
- Write to ABC/ Nightline expressing your disappointment with their poor reporting, biased editing and outdated agendas. Tell them that a prejudiced slant serves no-one and today, higher standards from viewers are expected from a national network. http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3428117
- Participate in ICPA’s Children’s Safety Research Projects to counteract false representation and insure chiropractic care for children. http://www.icpa4kids.com/research/PBRN/PBRN.htm
