Balanced?

A lengthy article in Stuff on obesity resembles propaganda more than balanced journalism.

95% of the article just repeats assertions by public health activists who want a sugar tax, and no one with a different view is interviewed. A tiny section at the end quotes an alternative view, but in such a way it is totally disparaging.

No mention of the fact that sugary non-alcoholic drinks are only 1.6% of average calories and how a 10% reduction in such drinks would on average be just three fewer calories a day out of the recommended 2,000.

Why bother giving readers both sides of an argument? Far easier to just interview those who all agree with each other.

And the activists quoted pat the author on the head and say “You did us proud”.

Again journalists wonder why people have lost trust in the media.

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