The re-appearance of a news report on WNBC New York, based on a thoroughly discredited article that appeared months ago in the medical journal Neurology, has raised serious questions about the motives of the broadcast agency carrying the story.  Entitled “Study: Chiropractic Adjustments May Increase Risk Of Stroke,” the piece appeared on November 6, 2003.  Presented by the station’s “health” reporter David Marks, MD, the issue of chiropractic safety was once again raised, but offered no additional evidence, no credible data and no new perspective, other than the opinion of a medical neurologist, whose experience on the issue of chiropractic procedures is completely unknown.   The WNBC piece  in question can be viewed on the Internet at :http://www.wnbc.com/drdavidmarks/2618209/detail.htm. 

ICA communicated its concerns in a letter to WNBC President and General Manager, Frank Comerford. In this protest letter, signed by ICA President Dr. CJ Mertz, ICA strongly expressed the grave concern of the chiropractic profession over the depiction of chiropractic procedures as dangerous, when the record clearly shows otherwise:

“The issue that concerns ICA the most is that of journalistic responsibility.  The research record has shown that chiropractic is by far the safest of all health care interventions, and the inherently flawed study cited by the WNBC reporter is demonstrably lacking in scientific credibility.   The question is, ‘Why do the story at all?’  The use of the media for what can only be characterized as the needless raising of public alarm about a health profession the safety record of which is so clearly established, raises serious ethical questions and issues of journalistic responsibility.  

Telling consumers that chiropractic procedures involve serious risks, when the research record shows this is simply not the case, is the marketplace equivalent of crying fire in a crowded theatre.  It causes unnecessary alarm to the millions who seek the care of chiropractors nationwide, calls into question the motives and/or the competence of your reporter, and most certainly erodes your credibility as a responsible news source.”

ICA has been in on-going discussions with Members of Congress and has once again asked for Congressional hearings on the issue of the use of the media for anti-competitive purposes in the health care marketplace. 

“This is a situation that requires all of us to speak out,” said ICA President Dr. CJ Mertz.  ICA encourages doctors of chiropractic, chiropractic organizations and concerned patients to communicate their thoughts on this unfortunate situation to WNBC via e-mail at: healthnews@wnbc.com, or by fax at 212-664-2994.  Letters may be addressed to:

Mr. Frank Comerford

WNBC President and General Manager

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, NY 10112.