June 11, 1995
Re: City's health commish upholds merits of no-smoking law (Letter, NY Post, June 6, 1995)
Like Margaret Hamburg, I too have been watching the Post's biased coverage of the Smoke-Free Air Act, and of tobacco issues in general. Ever since Rupert Murdoch, who sits on the Board of Directors at Philip Morris, took over as Editor-in-Chief, I have not seen the Post report on one negative health aspect of tobacco--despite almost weekly new scientific discoveries. Since his tenure, a person depending on the Post for news about tobacco would have read only an article on the health benefits of cigarettes.(Peter Brimelow, Is Smoking Good for You? July 11, 1994).
I'll say what Ms. Hamburg wouldn't-- the Post is obviously slanting not just editorial, but its very choice of news coverage in favor of Mr. Murdoch's business interests. Your negligent and misleading coverage of tobacco issues is unconscionable, and does a severe disservice to those at special risk--asthmatics, diabetics, pregnant women and people with very young children, to cite but a few--who may have benefited from recent information covered by more responsible news organizations.
The New York Post is a flagrant example of why no single person should control too many news outlets.
Gene Borio
PS: Mr. Murdoch also controls TV Guide, Harper Collins UK (the worldıs largest English-language publisher), Fox TV, 1/3 of all national newspapers sold in Britain, and numerous other print and broadcast news services.. No wonder there is very little real understanding by the public on this subject.
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