Part of the irony of our situation is that our anti-fluoridation movement is accused of being anti-science, or assumed to be, much like the anti-Covid-19 vaxxers. Reality is, as you know, the science is actually on OUR side. But, as with just about all other topics, the media do not do any research. I remember when I was a young professor, offering to send studies to journalists. "No thanks", they said...every time. "Just sum it up for me".
So, part of the problem here is that journalists are lazy. But, more than this, they don’t have the time to DO research anymore, because their ranks have been thinned to the point where there simply is not enough time in the day. And, they’re not motivated.
The other problem is, when dentists or MDs sum up the state of affairs, this means encapsulating the recommendations of their associations, or Health Canada, which influence what they may say or do. You buck these organizations at the risk of your job and your livelihood.
Some journalists are ‘progressive,’ and even thoughtful. Craig Pearson at The Windsor Star is an example. (And I don’t just say that because he was one of my graduate students!) But, as Craig said to me years ago, “If fluoride is bad for you, why do ALL of the dentists and MDs and scientists SUPPORT putting it in the water?” I wasn’t sure what to tell him at the time. I’ve gradually answered his question, over time….
It reminds me of how I used to think, that if you just climbed high enough in the chain of command, at a university, for example, you’d eventually find someone with the insight, intelligence, and integrity to do the right thing. Time and again, I’d confront the forces of evil, and I’d be slapped down. It’s kind of like the way the Indigenous woman Jody Wilson-Raybould describes serving in the Liberal government of Justin Trudeau. She even titled her new book, Indian in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power.
I want to tell her: “Jody: there’s no use in speaking truth to power. They’re aware of it. They will continue to ignore it, as long as we let them do that. They’re not interested in truth, but only in power. A politician merely wants to get re-elected. A statesman wants to do the right thing.” This is the very central fact that Jody makes in her book.
So, as I explained in the interview that Professor Dan Broudy did with me, there’s no point in complaining to the media that they are not doing their job. The fact is, they are doing their job well, which is to support the ideology of the one percenters who own the media. Unanimously.
Journalists will deny this fact all day long, so there’s no point in arguing with them. The ones who ARE progressive just learn to be happy with small victories, wherever they can win them.
Here’s what my advice would be regarding the media. Find ONE generally open-minded journalist in the local media, if you can. Encourage them, and help them to do the research. Take your time, as it will take a long time. And, as we know, if they see the research, they’ll see the light, eventually.
