"Baykeeper"/NEC propaganda radio

Recommended reading: Arcata Eye Editorial

In an editorial recapping the flouride related rhetoric that inflamed passions in the recent election, Kevin Hoover points out that:

"KHSU 90.5 FM’s The Econews Report only gave one side – that fluoride impacts the environment, or so the opponents believe. I asked Humboldt Baykeeper’s Pete Nichols, the host, why he didn’t present other perspectives.

He said, “Since I only do one Econews per month, I didn’t have time to schedule the pro-fluoride for an interview. Perhaps not so fair and balanced, but given that fluoride does have impacts on the environment, and Econews is an environment show, it seemed appropriate to investigate that aspect.”

The “investigation” consisted of the familar anti-fluoride presentation – selectively mined factoids and speculation, this time presented without rebuttal. An informed individual with a different view could have easily put this misleading information in proper context.

I asked Nichols if there was any thought given to having people who believe there is no environmental impact on the same show.

He said he “considered it, but felt 30 minutes was too limiting to get both perspectives fully. I decided to investigate the potential harm to human health and the environment from fluoride exposure since it has been the minority view for decades.”

Fluoride opposition wasn’t the minority view on KHSU’s centerpiece environmental program – it was the only view, during election season with a big vote coming up."

Kevin points out that he, himself hosts Humboldt Review "a public affairs show on KHUM FM 104.3, and our middle segment is about a half-hour long. We routinely have three, four, five or even more guests on in that period so as to ensure fair access for all viewpoints."

Busted, Pete. Fair and balanced, "Baykeeper"/Northcoast Environmental Center is not. "Baykeeper" also has another show called Coastal Currents, same deal.