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News Brief: A Quantitative Analysis of US Media's Fentanyl Panic and How It Kills
Aug 7, 2024
Zach Siegel, a researcher focused on media portrayals of fentanyl, discusses his extensive survey revealing how news outlets perpetuate misinformation about the drug. He exposes the sensationalism surrounding fentanyl exposure and critiques the uncritical acceptance of police narratives in the media. Siegel highlights the disconnect between media coverage and scientific consensus, advocating for a data-driven approach to reporting. The conversation emphasizes the need for empathy in drug policy to counteract societal panic and promote effective harm reduction strategies.
29:43
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Quick takeaways
- A significant disconnect exists between scientific evidence and media narratives about fentanyl, with 88% of articles failing to challenge law enforcement claims.
- The propagation of misinformation surrounding fentanyl has led to harmful drug policies that prioritize punitive measures over essential public health solutions.
Deep dives
The Myths of Fentanyl Exposure
The podcast discusses a report that highlights a significant disconnect between scientific consensus and media narratives surrounding fentanyl exposure. The report reveals that law enforcement claims of dangerous skin absorption of fentanyl are scientifically unfounded, yet these claims have been widely propagated in the media. Notably, a 2016 video from the DEA sparked this fear by suggesting that minute amounts of fentanyl could be lethal upon contact, an assertion that lacks any supporting evidence. As a result, the narrative that policing fentanyl-tainted substances poses an immediate threat to officers has taken root, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
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Discover
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