An Open Letter to the Editor of the Guardian, Katharine Viner
By John Stone
Dear Ms Viner,
I am writing to you somewhat retrospectively to ask for some explanation of the Guardian’s unsigned editorial last month The Guardian view on vaccinations: a matter of public health [1] which was both an attempt to jockey opinion and a blatant attempt to mislead. The issue as presented was that compulsory vaccination was a necessary step, because certain bad people labelled collectively “anti-vaxxers” were gaining too much influence. This in effect bundled together all critics of the programme and the vaccine lobby as bad people (frequently apparently wealthy people like Gwyneth Paltrow) and allegedly all free-loaders on the system, rather than as many are people who vaccinated their children and rue the day. Moreover, the cited authority on this was not scientific literature but the comedian TV presenter, John Oliver. This is scarcely the material of respectable argument.
Even the illustration of protesters in Italy demonstrates the distortion of the issue. In Italy – unreported by your newspaper as far as I know – tens of thousands of citizens have been turning out weekly on the streets not to demand the banning of vaccines, which you might suppose would be what an “anti-vaxxer” wanted, but the right to have some choice over what their children were vaccinated with and when. This had been provoked by legislation following an agreement between the Italian government and GlaxoSmithKline in which investment in Italy was made contingent on the government creating a captive market. The CEO of GSK Italy, Daniel Finnochiaro, is reported on an industry website as saying [2]:
“…I also met with Minister Lorenzin and other members of the government who reiterated the sensitivity of the government towards those who invest, create jobs and opportunities for young people. In short, we started on the right foot.
“Such sensitivity in the Roman palaces is not to be dismissed. As for us, Andrew Witty has asked for a few things: clear rules and stability in return for strong investment in advanced research and production equipment. We were of one intent.”
It may be remarked that without the prospect of forced vaccination there would have been no demonstrators at all, and what actually seems to be happening is that the vaccine industry is picking fights with citizens using such proxies as the Italian government and the Guardian newspaper. It is evident that whatever the arguments are for compulsory vaccination that a competent newspaper, informing its readership, should report that it is actually the industry - the people selling the products - making the running.
Although we should not take the events surrounding the career eclipse of Andrew Wakefield at face value [3], it is a shoddy argument that if one line of research about one product has been discredited that all the products can be supposed safe. That such an argument could be deployed by a “serious” newspaper again beggars belief (although it has become a cynical and lazy resort of the vaccine lobby). It should also be noted that British health officials have repeatedly deployed false arguments about the safety of the expanded schedule citing the flawed and fraudulent ‘spare capacity’ arguments of Paul Offit [4].
But what really highlights the wilful incompetence of your newspaper is the problem that among children neurodevelopment problems like autism and ADHD are becoming – in correlation with the expanding vaccine programme - a much bigger problem than infectious disease [5,6,7]. When the Observer newspaper highlighted the problem of the rising tide of autism ahead of the General Medical Council hearing against Wakefield and colleagues in 2007 – citing an unpublished paper by Baron-Cohen et al which had discovered a rate of 1 in 58 in Cambridgeshire school children - the article was attacked in house by Ben Goldacre, a denial was printed from Prof Baron-Cohen and the newspaper was ambushed by Fiona Fox and Science Media Centre. Shortly after this humiliating event the newspaper’s editor, Roger Alton, lost his job, but it was Baron-Cohen who was being “economical with the truth”: less than a year later he told the IMFAR conference that figure was around 1 in 60, virtually the same figure he had previously denied [8]. But by now the figure has rocketed well beyond this point, and may well - although only indirectly reported in the mainstream media – be as high as 1 in 10 London [7] . Meanwhile, the Guardian continues to connive at the bureaucratic cover up [9, 10].
Your newspaper has a disgraceful history but what is most disgraceful of all is your attempt to close down legitimate public discussion with hate-rhetoric. I believe you will live for this to haunt you. The only reason we have all this talk of "fake news" is because of the professional and ethical collapse of those we used to rely on to report "real news".
[1] Editorial: The Guardian view on vaccination: a matter of public health, The Guardian 7 July 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/07/the-guardian-view-on-vaccinations-a-matter-of-public-health#_=_
[2] John Stone, The British Government, the Murdochs, Prof Pollard and and the GSK Takeover in Italy, Age of Autism 21 June 2017, http://www.ageofautism.com/2017/06/the-british-government-the-murdochs-prof-pollard-and-the-gsk-takeover-in-italy.html
[3] John Stone, The British Establishment in Ethical Collapse Over Vaccine Damage, Age of Autism 1 August 2017 http://www.ageofautism.com/2017/08/the-british-establishment-in-ethical-collapse-over-vaccine-damage.html
[4] John Stone, Paul Offit’s 10,000 Vaccine Doctrine and the Deception of Every Child By Two, Age of Autism, 13 March 2017 http://www.ageofautism.com/2017/03/paul-offits-10000-vaccine-doctrine-and-deception-on-every-child-by-two.html
[5] John Stone, Re: US government website for collecting adverse events after vaccination is inaccessible to most users, BMJ Rapid Responses, 29 May 2107 http://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2449/rr-5
[6] John Stone, The Shadow War on Disease: Unaccountable and Oppressive Medicine, BMJ Rapid Responses, 3 July 2017, http://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2449/rr-13
[7] John Stone, The writing is on the wall, BMJ Rapid Responses19 July 2017 http://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2449/rr-16
[8] John Stone, Swept Aside: an Unpublished Submission to the Leveson Inquiry about Science Journalism, http://www.ageofautism.com/2012/12/leveson-inquiry-submission.html
[9] John Stone, The True Data Revealed, Adult Autism Data Fabrication in the UK Part 3, Age of Autism 16 February 2016, http://www.ageofautism.com/2016/02/the-true-data-revealed-adult-autism-data-fabrication-in-the-united-kingdom-part-3.html
[10] John Stone, Guardian Health Editor Sarah Boseley's Little Problem, Age of Autism 17 August 2016, http://www.ageofautism.com/2016/08/guardian-health-editor-sarah-boselys-little-problem.html
John Stone, UK Editior, Age of Autism.
Whyser
Goldacre, No indeed, try following up footnote 8
http://www.ageofautism.com/2012/12/leveson-inquiry-submission.html
Posted by: John Stone | September 01, 2017 at 12:54 AM
Ben Goldacre... is this the same Ben Goldacre that did a Ted talk how much bad science there is out there? Does he not take his own advice when it comes to judging vaccine safety studies?
Posted by: whyser | August 31, 2017 at 05:47 PM
Thank you ! Well reasoned and comprehensive rebuke to a fallen paper.
Interesting to read in the Guardian an abridged version on Jon Snow’s recent thoughts on the media’s inability to connect with “..those not of the elite”.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/23/grenfell-british-media-divide
Perhaps Jon Snow needs an update on some other topics where the media, and he, have “..got it wrong . “ ?
Posted by: Noel Thomas | August 31, 2017 at 07:11 AM
Another story the Guardian will not cover !
Colombia rejects the HPV vaccine
https://informparents.wordpress.com/2017/08/29/hpv-vaccine-will-no-longer-be-considered-mandatory-in-colombia/
VICTORY !!!!
VICTORY in Japan , VICTORY in Ireland , VICTORY in Colombia .
Gardasil is the greatest medical scandal of all time ! So are vaccines.
Posted by: Hans Hitten | August 30, 2017 at 05:08 AM
Race You...
The Human HUMAN race
is not contingent upon
whether or not - NOT - it can get to Mars.
THE HUMAN RACE
is not contingent upon
IS NOT CONTINGENT UPON
whether or not - please god (or Whomever)
IT can SAVE PLANET EARTH -----
PLANET EARTH
where all our children should get
an education
an EDUCATION!!!
THE HUMAN RACE
is iS IS!!!!
CONTINGENT UPON
whether or not - OR NOT-
MILLENNIAL MOTHERS
know what CYTOKINE STORM is
Does it matter what is, IS?
According to Vladimir Putin
You bet it does!
I sincerely hope Millennial MOTHERS can save our Democracy.
Posted by: annie | August 29, 2017 at 11:39 PM
Thanks Ann,
I have no particular disagreement with you or Martin over this, although there could be other explanations - for example it is not so different from Ben Goldacre's line in ad hominem (you could imagine he might be consulted). But at the end of the day it does not matter who wrote it because it was published as the view of the Guardian newspaper and in that case must have been supported by the editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner and presumably in consultation with others.
How often does the Guardian - even in unsigned editorials - state its view in this way? I don't read it so often any more.
Posted by: John Stone | August 29, 2017 at 05:01 PM
Great article and well overdue. However, I feel Martin J Walker is correct when he says this editorial came via a PR company or a pharmaceutical company's press office. They are a lost cause sadly.
Posted by: Ann Lewis | August 29, 2017 at 04:49 PM
Jenny
Yes, obviously the Guardian is a like collapsed star. I came across this interesting article:
https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/fueding-and-financial-meltdown-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-guardian-s-giant-bustup-a3249961.html
I don't know whether Rusbridger would have been any more principled, however.
Posted by: John Stone | August 29, 2017 at 02:41 PM
Link to the Scott Trust info:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Trust_Limited
Posted by: Jenny Allan | August 29, 2017 at 02:14 PM
Some limited info about the Scott Trust, which owns the Guardian.
Note Katherine Viner is on the Board.
Posted by: Jenny Allan | August 29, 2017 at 02:13 PM
Gary Ogden asks -"What keeps rags like this afloat? "
What indeed! The Guardian loses £millions every year and is only kept afloat by an obscure and secretive 'trust fund'. Presumably the Bill & Melissa Gates Foundation donates cash. Does anyone else know of any other pharma funded 'contributions?
Posted by: Jenny Allan | August 29, 2017 at 02:03 PM
Hear hear, John! We will never accept this massive increase in neurodevelopmental problems as normal. The fake media have become one of the most guilty of players.
Posted by: Reader | August 29, 2017 at 12:20 PM
Well stated.
"It may be remarked that without the prospect of forced vaccination there would have been no demonstrators at all"
This is unfortunately true. Citizens have been much too complacent about their governments centrally planning their health care, as long as there was an "out" for those who didn't subscribe to the vaccine propaganda.
When, if ever, are people going to demand true health freedom and for governments to end their (purported) health promotion, their recommendations, scheduling, warnings, etc.? Or will we always be sheep being led to the slaughter?
Posted by: David Weiner | August 29, 2017 at 11:29 AM
Are we getting anywhere ?
https://iaomt.org/TestFoundation/innoculatedoblivion.htm
When families hit the Capitol last week, they demanded answers about the source of their children's autism.
By Arthur Allen
April 13, 2000
Burton's first witnesses were Andrew Wakefield of Scotland and John O'Leary of Ireland, who believe they have shown that autistic children suffering from gastrointestinal problems have measles viruses colonizing immune cells in their guts.
Posted by: Hans Hitten | August 29, 2017 at 11:24 AM
Martin
Another place this appears to be coming from is Prof Pollard, who is not only head of Oxford Vaccine Group and possibly the UK's leading vaccine developer but also recommends products as head of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Apparently, he does not think people should have any choice about what he says:
https://www.paediatrics.ox.ac.uk/news/the-guardian-small-decline-in-mmr-vaccination-rates-could-have-dramatic-effect-experts-warn
Far be it from the Guardian to investigate such a gross conflicts.
Posted by: John Stone | August 29, 2017 at 10:17 AM
John ,your hard work is much appreciated." Good God In Govan !" The only thing that skyard "cac handed" printed,pressed and well commercialized posture is likely to achieve is a self lettered leathering that is highly likely to knock it;s own lipstick for six sideways .
This type of poverty of attitude and personal opinion needs to get its behaviour back to primary school to re sit it's exams on how to spot the difference between people, poodles, patients ,persons and human beings .
QUOTES Mahatma Gandhi "Vaccination is a barbarous practice and one of the most fatal of all the delusions current in our time . Conscientious objectors to vaccinations should stand alone,if need be ,against the whole world ,in defence of their convictions .
The Project Gutenberg E-Book [Free online] A guide to health by Mahatme Gandhi 1921
Where are the health and safety risk assessments as no risk assessments available then no consent and no compromise either .
Posted by: Morag | August 29, 2017 at 09:09 AM
http://www.anh-usa.org/the-emerging-sperm-count-crisis/
If sperm counts continue declining at the current rate, humans could become extinct.
All part of the same depopulation policy.
Posted by: Hans Hitten | August 29, 2017 at 08:44 AM
A very thoughtful and thought-provoking response John, well done.
The mainsteam media is greatly letting citizens down with its lack of critical analysis of international vaccination policy.
To understand the duty of a newspaper, I suggest Katharine Viner revisit C.P. Scott's essay: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2002/nov/29/1
Some quotes:
"A newspaper has two sides to it. It is a business, like any other, and has to pay in the material sense in order to live. But it is much more than a business; it is an institution; it reflects and it influences the life of a whole community; it may affect even wider destinies. It is, in its way, an instrument of government. It plays on the minds and consciences of men. It may educate, stimulate, assist, or it may do the opposite. It has, therefore, a moral as well as a material existence, and its character and influence are in the main determined by the balance of these two forces. It may make profit or power its first object, or it may conceive itself as fulfilling a higher and more exacting function....
A newspaper is of necessity something of a monopoly, and its first duty is to shun the temptations of monopoly. Its primary office is the gathering of the news. At the peril of its soul it must see that the supply is not tainted. Neither in what it gives, nor in what it does not give, nor in the mode of presentation must the unclouded face of truth suffer wrong. Comment is free, but facts are sacred. 'Propaganda', so-called, by this means is hateful. The voice of opponents no less than that of friends has a right to be heard. Comment is also justly subject to a self-imposed restraint. It is well to be frank; it is even better to be fair. This is an ideal. Achievement in such matters is hardly given to man. We can but try, ask pardon for shortcomings, and there leave the matter."
So those are the thoughts of C.P. Scott, editor of the Manchester Guardian (now the Guardian) from 1872 until 1929 and its owner from 1907 until his death. I wonder what Scott would make of the Guardian today in regards to its handling of the important and controversial topic of vaccination policy?
Posted by: Elizabeth Hart | August 29, 2017 at 08:25 AM
Thanks, John. Excellent letter. What keeps rags like this afloat? Do people actually buy them? I refuse to believe humans are that stupid.
Posted by: Gary Ogden | August 29, 2017 at 08:10 AM
https://www.healthnutnews.com/peter-thiel-funds-unethical-offshore-herpes-vaccine-trial/
That is apparently the case with Southern Illinois University, Rational Vaccines, and the wealthy American businessman Peter Thiel (who invested 7 MILLION DOLLARS). In what has been called an “unethical” vaccine trial, Rational Vaccines has been testing an experimental herpes vaccines on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts (subjects, who already have herpes, are flown to the island for inoculations). Thiel has long been a vocal critic of the FDA, once saying in an interview that the approval process at the FDA is so burdensome that “you would not be able to invent the polio vaccine today.”
Posted by: Hans Hitten | August 29, 2017 at 07:59 AM
Martin
No doubt that Bill and Melinda are in there somewhere. Just a week before the appearance of the Guardian editorial that wellknown libertarian journal, the Spectator, published a blog by Seth Berkley, CEO of GAVI - a Gates related agency - calling for "anti-vaxxers" ie anyone critical of the vaccine lobby to be excluded from social media. But if the Guardian and the Spectator are puppets it is still necessary to say so.
https://health.spectator.co.uk/anti-vaxxers-have-embraced-social-media-were-paying-for-fake-news-with-real-lives/
Posted by: John Stone | August 29, 2017 at 07:31 AM
http://www.thelibertybeacon.com/mandatoryforced-vaccinations-a-blatant-violation-of-the-nuremberg-code/
For Ms Viner - get a load of that heart breaking picture Katharine !
You are defending crimes against humanity .
Posted by: Hans Hitten | August 29, 2017 at 07:22 AM
Correction, sorry, Bill and MELINDA Gates Foundation.
Posted by: Martin John Walker | August 29, 2017 at 07:13 AM
Martin
Nevertheless, the editorial appears as the institutional statement of the Guardian and the editor must be responsible and answerable for it.
John
Posted by: John Stone | August 29, 2017 at 07:11 AM
sablemouse
The UK media is not actually dominated by pharma advertising revenue in the same was as the US but the same effects are achieved through institutional connections and intimidation from industry/government public relation agencies like Science Media Centre and Sense About Science, which spoon-feed the mainstream media with what they are allowed to say.
Posted by: John Stone | August 29, 2017 at 07:08 AM
Dear John, As always I enjoyed reading your piece about the Guardian 'Editorial'. However I feel that the paper is way beyond saving and on this vital issue it has, long ago sold it's soul. Clearly if an editor did write the horribly stunted logic of this piece, s/he should be considerably ashamed of themselves. However, I don't think a 'journalist' of any kind got near this piece which came straight from either a PR company or the desk of a corporate drug pusher. Really all one need say about the Guardian and vaccination, is 'BILL AND MELISSA GATES' whose Foundation makes a substantial contribution to the paper.
Posted by: Martin John Walker | August 29, 2017 at 07:06 AM
that IS the guardian , and vaccines, and big pharma, in a nut shell. must pharma be a big part of their revenue.
ad rarely comments allowed and negative comments about vaccines often removed in general health discussions.
and they keep asking me for money.
Posted by: sabelmouse | August 29, 2017 at 06:59 AM
John .. as usual .. well said!
As I have often wondered .. in spite of decades of increasing chronic autoimmune disorders that were far less common in all previous .. LESS VACCINATED GENERATIONS .... how in God's name do these people sleep at night?
Posted by: bob moffit | August 29, 2017 at 06:57 AM
Astounding Letter .
"although only indirectly reported in the mainstream media – be as high as 1 in 10 London"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katharine_Viner
"I honestly thought journalism wasn't for me, I thought it was for men in suits in London",
Looks like those words came true , she isn't a journalist , she is a puppet .
Posted by: Hans Hitten | August 29, 2017 at 06:47 AM
The wonderful lie(for them) continues straggling the life out of the real truth.
Well done John great.
Pharma for Prison
MMR RIP
Posted by: Angus Files | August 29, 2017 at 06:35 AM