Flutterby™! : Disaster Profiteers

Next unread comment / Catchup all unread comments User Account Info | Logout | XML/Pilot/etc versions | Long version (with comments) | Weblog archives | Site Map | | Browse Topics

Disaster Profiteers

2011-03-15 18:32:10.43327+00 by Dan Lyke 1 comments

And the disaster profiteers step out: BBC News: European hospitals asked be on standby for Japan's ill is an interesting little story. Who has asked European hospitals to be on standby? The European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). What does the EBMT know about the circumstances, and how are they communicating with Japanese authorities to know this information? Professor Ray Powles, chair of the nuclear accident committee for EBMT, is quoted as saying "We have contacted Japan directly and have also offered our services to them through the World Health Organization."

This is why modern journalism sucks so badly: We don't know how the BBC reporter was turned on to this story, but it sure looks like the EBMT saw a chance to use the tragedy in Japan to raise their own profile. Seems tacky.

[ related topics: Quotes Health Current Events Journalism and Media Monty Python Furniture Woodworking ]

comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):

#Comment Re: made: 2011-03-15 19:45:07.327322+00 by: ebradway

This is why modern journalism sucks so badly.

I don't think it's "modern journalism", but "journalism". The sucking has been going on forever. It just seems to suck more now because we feel like we could be afforded more accurate information because the ease with which it can be communicated.

I don't understand why they haven't sent in a series of robot video cameras so they can actually see what's going on. Better yet, live stream the video cameras. BP at least had the wherewithal to do that with the Gulf Disaster. And you surely can't claim that Japan doesn't have the resources. I bet Sony has a kennel full of Aibo's they could repurpose with a cell phone and duct tape!