Journalistic Malpractice at WSYR-9 (Syracuse, NY)

Clear Channel station inflicts fake and misleading health news on their viewers

Client(s): Bioibérica

Released: December 2005

Aired By: 1 station

Disclosed By: No stations

On December 26, 2005, WSYR-9—the Clear Channel ABC affiliate in Syracuse, New York—ran a 90-second story on chondroitin sulfate, a dietary supplement made from animal cartilage that's marketed as an over-the-counter pain remedy for arthritis. While trumpeting chondroitin sulfate as a "major health breakthrough," the segment included positive testimony from Jason Matley, a 30-year old arthritis patient, and Nicholas DiNubile, an orthopedic surgeon. The story cited the results of a major National Institutes of Health (NIH) study that suggested certain supplements—including chondroitin sulfate—were effective in relieving knee joint pain.

Enire story at http://www.prwatch.org/fakenews/vnr7

Read entire story at
http://www.prwatch.org/fakenews/vnr7

See Broad story about documentation of fake news and how you can report it to the FCC at:
http://www.freepress.net/fakenews/