As the United States nears 300,000 COVID-19 deaths, excitement over the promise of a vaccine mounts. To many, the vaccine signals an end to the pandemic.
As cases surge, journalists have eagerly promoted the vaccine. To quell public doubt and cover what is considered “good news,” the nightly news has taken on a promotional tone about vaccine development while not properly evaluating the vaccine.
Instead of scrutinizing pharmaceutical companies, journalists became their cheerleaders.
Media outlets parroted press releases announcing the developments of efficacious vaccines. They used sound bites from presidents of pharmaceutical companies to promise us their vaccines are safe. Reporters failed to inform viewers that outside experts had not peer-reviewed this data and that those confirming its effectiveness are those who stand to profit from it.
ABC even echoed Pfizer’s claim the company had refused money from Operation Warp Speed to avoid “politicizing the vaccine.” While Pfizer did not take federal dollars for development, it accepted $1.95 billion to manufacture vaccines. Such misleading claims don’t tell the whole story and leave the impression the vaccine was free of the federal government’s pressures.
The announcement of the AstraZeneca vaccine provided a perfect case study. Anchors from each network declared it effective and safe, without reassurance from outside experts. Americans may see updates about the AstraZeneca vaccine, but they will largely remember first claims of 90% efficacy.
Unfortunately, news broke on Thanksgiving that researchers mismanaged dosages during the trials. With many families missing the news during the holiday, the headlines about these mismanaged trials largely faded. Promises of effectiveness and safety will continue to ring louder than the confusing yet significant concerns over the scientific process.
Journalists must verify information and specify that we can’t yet confirm the vaccines’ safety or efficacy. The media’s job is not to make the public feel better, but it is to tell the truth about our government and its partners, even when that truth is uncomfortable.
Even without media promotion, there will be no shortage of campaigns to convince the public to take the vaccine. The government has spent billions on it. Companies will profit from it. Both will tout it’s efficacy and safety.
Yet, journalists have failed to provide the truth and clarity Americans need now more than ever.
The nation has faced months of unmitigated bad news. For many, including the media, vaccine development serves as the piece of unmitigated good news. AstraZeneca’s mismanagement won’t be the only problem that presents itself as we move forward. From here forward, it’s important for the media to provide the truth, even when it’s not comforting.
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