Sensational National Public Radio Story Threatens Bats
By Merlin Tuttle
2/14/17
Unfortunately, the normally objective and reliable NPR, in its broadcast interview titled, Why Killer Viruses Are On The Rise, has joined in spreading irresponsibly sensational fear of bats. The interview with a “virus hunter” is set in a Bornean rainforest. In the preamble, the announcer notes that, “It’s where deadly viruses hide out, waiting their chance to leap into a person and then spread around the world.”
At a time when bats and rainforests are both in alarming decline, and in desperate need of protection, the program goes on to portray them in the scariest of terms. The reporter notes that rainforests “have lots of crazy animals” that “have lots of crazy viruses” and explains that what the virus hunter “really wants is to catch a bat.”
When the first bat is caught it is described as cute, but the reporter quickly points out that, “bats are arguably one of the most dangerous animals in the world. They triggered the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the pandemic of killer pneumonia back in 2003, that was called SARS, and they’re behind one of the viruses scientists think could cause the next big one, Nipah.” This is unproven speculation reported as fact. But it gets even worse.
Fellow Bat Fan,
We need you to put some muscle behind our message...
Bats positively impact our lives every single day. As Bat Fans, we have the opportunity to immediately impact their lives by using our amplified voice to communicate directly with decision makers, media resources or anyone requiring a Battitude Adjustment.
Help us, help bats, help you!
What's Going On?
Nothing threatens bats more than sensational scare stories, and this is one of the worst yet. NPR published an exceptionally frightening story, "Why Killer Viruses Are On The Rise," ranking bats among the worlds most dangerous animals. If we truly care about bats we cannot afford to allow such stories to go unchallenged. Decades of experience demonstrate that people do kill what they fear. Lend your voice to protect bats and telling NPR that they’ve disappointed you by presenting speculation as exaggerated fact. Click here to read Merlin's response. Together we make a difference!
What To Do
Choose any or all means of contact to reach out:
NPR Contact Form: select Contact an NPR Department and select NPR Management.
Email:
jgreenhalgh@npr.org, NPR Senior Editor, Jane Greenhalgh
mdoucleff@npr.org, NPR Science Desk Reporter, Michaeleen Doucleff
Twitter:
@NPRJane, NPR Senior Editor, Jane Greenhalgh
@FoodieScience, NPR Science Desk Reporter, Michaeleen Doucleff
@NPRGoatsandSoda, NPR's global health and development blog
@NPR
Facebook: Share your thoughts in a status update and tag NPR, @NPR
What To Say
Editors jobs depend on readership; feedback is valuable and they pay attention when lots of people express their concern and care. Use your own words to tell them what you think.
OR
Copy and Paste the following,
I am very disappointed to see a source I had trusted present speculation as greatly embellished fact. Bats are extremely valuable and I want to see stories about how they benefit the world and all of us humans, not this exaggerated scary stuff.
What are Friends For?
Reinforcement! So, use them. Talk about it. Tweet about it. Tell all your pals. The bigger our voice, the bigger our muscles!
Until next time, Bat Fan...Thanks for being there!
When the first bat is caught it is described as cute, but the reporter quickly points out that, “bats are arguably one of the most dangerous animals in the world. They triggered the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the pandemic of killer pneumonia back in 2003, that was called SARS, and they’re behind one of the viruses scientists think could cause the next big one, Nipah.” This is unproven speculation reported as fact. But it gets even worse.
Read More and take action.. merlintuttle.com / bat-flash-sensational-npr-story-threatens-bats
Fellow Bat Fan,
We need you to put some muscle behind our message...
Bats positively impact our lives every single day. As Bat Fans, we have the opportunity to immediately impact their lives by using our amplified voice to communicate directly with decision makers, media resources or anyone requiring a Battitude Adjustment.
Help us, help bats, help you!
What's Going On?
Nothing threatens bats more than sensational scare stories, and this is one of the worst yet. NPR published an exceptionally frightening story, "Why Killer Viruses Are On The Rise," ranking bats among the worlds most dangerous animals. If we truly care about bats we cannot afford to allow such stories to go unchallenged. Decades of experience demonstrate that people do kill what they fear. Lend your voice to protect bats and telling NPR that they’ve disappointed you by presenting speculation as exaggerated fact. Click here to read Merlin's response. Together we make a difference!
What To Do
Choose any or all means of contact to reach out:
NPR Contact Form: select Contact an NPR Department and select NPR Management.
Email:
jgreenhalgh@npr.org, NPR Senior Editor, Jane Greenhalgh
mdoucleff@npr.org, NPR Science Desk Reporter, Michaeleen Doucleff
Twitter:
@NPRJane, NPR Senior Editor, Jane Greenhalgh
@FoodieScience, NPR Science Desk Reporter, Michaeleen Doucleff
@NPRGoatsandSoda, NPR's global health and development blog
@NPR
Facebook: Share your thoughts in a status update and tag NPR, @NPR
What To Say
Editors jobs depend on readership; feedback is valuable and they pay attention when lots of people express their concern and care. Use your own words to tell them what you think.
OR
Copy and Paste the following,
I am very disappointed to see a source I had trusted present speculation as greatly embellished fact. Bats are extremely valuable and I want to see stories about how they benefit the world and all of us humans, not this exaggerated scary stuff.
What are Friends For?
Reinforcement! So, use them. Talk about it. Tweet about it. Tell all your pals. The bigger our voice, the bigger our muscles!
Until next time, Bat Fan...Thanks for being there!
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