Council For Media Integrity Watchdog Network
SkeptInq@aol.com
Tue, 3 Jun 1997 12:28:51 -0400
CSICOP NEEDS YOU!
JOIN THE COUNCIL FOR MEDIA INTEGRITY'S WATCHDOG NETWORK
"The irresponsibility of the media in the area of science and the
paranormal is a worldwide problem."
---Dr. Paul Kurtz, CSICOP chair
From: Matt Nisbet SINISBET@aol.com
Dear Skeptic,
I hope spring finds you enjoying the outdoors and good weather. I am
writing to share with you some of the latest activities of the Council for
Media Integrity.
Launched last summer at the World Skeptics Congress in Amherst NY, the
Council is comprised of a network of distinguished scientists, academics and
skeptic activists committed to monitoring the media. A statement endorsed by
the Council maintained that, "If the United States is to continue to provide
leadership and compete in the global economy, we need to raise the level of
scientific
literacy and understanding of the general public."
THE PROBLEM
"You don't find a general fluency in skepticism in the media."
--- Carl Sagan
As we have all witnessed, over the last half decade the size and scope of
television, film and electronic media has grown into a giant leviathan.
Unfortunately, the growth of the media combined with viewer and reader
demand has resulted in an astounding increase in the number of films, TV
programs and popular print articles that feature or tout fringe science, the
paranormal or pseudoscience. Well known examples are "The X-Files," "The
Unexplained," "Unsolved Mysteries" and "Independence Day".
The Council for Media Integrity does not seek to censor these programs,
only that producers and writers exercise responsibility in presenting a
balanced account that provides some appreciation of the scientific approach.
The Council's purpose is to monitor such programs, and attempt to persuade
producers, directors, writers, and the general public to leave room for the
appreciation of scientific methods of inquiry.
THE MEDIA WATCHDOG NETWORK
In order to effectively monitor and respond, the Council is seeking
dedicated and committed volunteers that can regularly apply their critical
and skeptical eye to upcoming TV programs, films and articles. These
activities might include:
-Clipping and sending in a news article to CSICOP
-Replying to the paper via a letter-to-the-editor
-Taping and writing a synopsis of a television program
-Sending a letter to the studio or producer
-Recruiting fellow skeptics into the Watchdog Network
-Staging a localized media event or press conference
-Contributing to the recently launched "Media Stock Fund"
Well-organized skeptics can make quick and effective response to the media
possible.
In order to make monitoring easier, regular e-mail and postal update will
alert Council activists to upcoming television shows, and recount what
happened the previous week. Included would be sample letters-to-the-editor,
sample letters to producers, opinion editorials, sample press releases and
media events that Council activists can use with their local media.
As we've seen in the past, a well-organized network of committed skeptical
activists can accomplish a great deal, and can even start to turn the heat up
on the entertainment industry and media.
Please become a Council for Media Integrity Watchdog today by sending
e-mail to:
SINISBET@aol.com
HELP TAKE A BITE OUT OF THE FRINGE...
Best Wishes,
Matthew Nisbet
CSICOP Communications and Media Relations >>
-----------------
Forwarded Message:
Subj: Council For Media Integrity Watchdog Network
Date: 97-05-21 10:35:21 EDT
From: SINisbet
To: Skeptiq
CSICOP NEEDS YOU!
JOIN THE COUNCIL FOR MEDIA INTEGRITY'S WATCHDOG NETWORK
"The irresponsibility of the media in the area of science and the paranormal
is a worldwide problem."
---Dr. Paul Kurtz, CSICOP chair
Dear Skeptic,
I hope spring finds you enjoying the outdoors and good weather. I am
writing to share with you some of the latest activities of the Council for
Media Integrity.
Launched last summer at the World Skeptics Congress in Amherst NY, the
Council is comprised of a network of distinguished scientists, academics and
skeptic activists committed to monitoring the media. A statement endorsed by
the Council maintained that, "If the United States is to continue to provide
leadership and compete in the global economy, we need to raise the level of
scientific
literacy and understanding of the general public."
THE PROBLEM
"You don't find a general fluency in skepticism in the media."
--- Carl Sagan
As we have all witnessed, over the last half decade the size and scope of
television, film and electronic media has grown into a giant leviathan.
Unfortunately, the growth of the media combined with viewer and reader
demand has resulted in an astounding increase in the number of films, TV
programs and popular print articles that feature or tout fringe science, the
paranormal or pseudoscience. Well known examples are "The X-Files," "The
Unexplained," "Unsolved Mysteries" and "Independence Day".
The Council for Media Integrity does not seek to censor these programs, only
that producers and writers exercise responsibility in presenting a balanced
account that provides some appreciation of the scientific approach. The
Council's purpose is to monitor such programs, and attempt to persuade
producers, directors, writers, and the general public to leave room for the
appreciation of scientific methods of inquiry.
THE MEDIA WATCHDOG NETWORK
In order to effectively monitor and respond, the Council is seeking
dedicated and committed volunteers that can regularly apply their critical
and skeptical eye to upcoming TV programs, films and articles. These
activities might include:
-Clipping and sending in a news article to CSICOP
-Replying to the paper via a letter-to-the-editor
-Taping and writing a synopsis of a television program
-Sending a letter to the studio or producer
-Recruiting fellow skeptics into the Watchdog Network
-Staging a localized media event or press conference
-Contributing to the recently launched "Media Stock Fund"
Well-organized skeptics can make quick and effective response to the media
possible.
In order to make monitoring easier, regular e-mail and postal update will
alert Council activists to upcoming television shows, and recount what
happened the previous week. Included would be sample letters-to-the-editor,
sample letters to producers, opinion editorials, sample press releases and
media events that Council activists can use with their local media.
As we've seen in the past, a well-organized network of committed skeptical
activists can accomplish a great deal, and can even start to turn the heat up
on the entertainment industry and media.
Please become a Council for Media Integrity Watchdog today by sending e-mail
to:
SINISBET@aol.com
HELP TAKE A BITE OUT OF THE FRINGE...
Best Wishes,
Matthew Nisbet
CSICOP Communications and Media Relations >>