ABOUT
Smart discussion of the latest science and news on toxins in your food, water, and air, and what government agencies should be doing to protect public health. Written by EWG staff.
DONATE TO EWG!
Help us protect your health and environment! Please donate $5 to EWG today.
GET EWG'S TIPS & ACTION ALERTS
Sign Up here to receive email updates and tips from EWG and stay informed on the issues that matter most to you.
ENVIROBLOG VIA EMAIL
Join EWG's live chat with Chef Ann Cooper
School lunch: More fruits & veggies, please!
Texas Schools are Drilling for Dollars
Why do blowouts take so long to fix?
SEARCH ENVIROBLOG
FEATURED
Support the 2010 Safe Cosmetics Act. It's Urgent.
Why, oh why is there plastic in my aluminum water bottle?
Cell phone radiation series - Part 2: 8 Ways to reduce your exposure
Test Your Knowledge of Cosmetics Safety: 8 Myths Debunked
EWG's Tips for Parents: The Series
EWG's Tips to avoid BPA exposure
EWG on TV
Cutting the Pork from U.S. Farm Bill
Sunscreen safety & DC drinking water
Perchlorate in people, kids' personal care products & plastics, and sunscreen
BPA in baby formula & safe cosmetics
What can I do about fluoride in my water?
What is new carpet treated with? What can I do?
Are stainless steel water bottles safe?
Is mineral-based makeup safer?
PEOPLE TALKING TOXICS
TALK TO US
Did we miss something? Email Enviroblog.
« EPA ignoring its own experts on air quality standards | Main | Green-conscious GE develops hybrid lightbulb »
Journalism 101: Who's a Source?
In response to the debate National Geographic magazine has recently sparked with its October 2006 article, "The Pollution Within," Environmental Working Group invites journalism students, working journalists and National Geographic in particular to address questions of whether information sources who espouse policy views should be cited in stories.
First, the general question. If a source is known to have a perspective (or an "agenda" or a "slant") or is openly known as an advocacy group, is it acceptable to cite them? If not, is it OK to cite an industry-funded lobbying group? What's the difference? Should one, both or neither be cited?
Second, to National Geographic editors: We appreciate that you apologized for not citing our contribution to your story. However, the claim that we shouldn't be cited because we're an advocacy group doesn't hold water when in the same story you quote the American Chemistry Council, a group whose goal is to increase the profits of chemical companies. How will this incident affect your editorial policies going forward?
We're asking you this publicly because we believe transparency benefits everyone, and because we haven't yet heard back from you about when we could meet to discuss these editorial issues in private. Victoria Pope of your magazine promised Lauren Sucher of EWG that on September 28 she'd have information about Chris Johns's (the magazine editor) schedule. We haven't heard from Ms. Pope yet, so perhaps it's more convenient for all parties to communicate via Enviroblog.
We're happy to host the discussion and look forward to comments.
Leave a comment