STORY LINK: http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episodes/dad-and-the-dandelions
We invite your comments at the bottom of this page!
The Society of Professional Journalists lists several pillars of journalism ethics: “seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently and be accountable and transparent.” The American Press Institute states “Journalism should also attempt to fairly represent varied viewpoints and interests in society and to place them in context rather than highlight only the conflicting fringes of debate. Accuracy and truthfulness also require that the public discussion not neglect points of common ground or instances where problems are not just identified but also solved”.
Environmental filmmaker Andrew Nisker who calls himself an environmental activist, probes the manicured world of golf seeking answers to his many questions about the cause of a particular cancer and the source.
On Thursday March 2, 2017 at 8 PM on CBC-TV a documentary from The Nature of Things with David Suzuki called “Dad and the Dandelions” questions a connection between playing golf and cancer.
In the promotion of the show Nisker states “at a golf industry trade show he sees the array of chemicals on offer to achieve that championship perfection. To his surprise, he hears at the show that golfers have consistently shown resistance to caring about any health or environmental impacts of their sport”. They go on to say “Andrew’s search reveals to him how little we know about the complex causes of cancers. He learns how it’s nearly impossible to track down the cause of a single cancer like his father’s”. So why are you focusing your attention on one particular sport? What about taking a walk or visiting a park or play ground. Implying the sport of golf is the cause of cancer by a main media outlet is very poor journalism and not something the golf industry needs right now. Just speak with a few course superintendents and you would see the numerous environmental issues they deal with and how they try very hard to protect the environment. From the comments section we found that John Faber who is the Superintendent at Springbank Links in Alberta replied “I certainly hope Mr. Nisker took the time to interview Golf Course Superintendents for this documentary. As a professional in this industry with a Bachelor of Science degree, it is my job to provide the best possible conditions, within a budget, while acting as an environmental steward.
The reality is that all golf courses look to limit inputs (water, fertilizer, pesticides) as these are all very expensive line items and the potential revenue stream on a golf course is not large to begin with. Also, any pesticides that are applied on a golf course have been tested and approved by the PMRA in Canada and the EPA in the USA along with numerous other independent agencies. They are also being applied under strict guidelines by licensed applicators. In my opinion, if Mr. Nisker did not reach out to Golf Course Superintendents for the facts, it completely discredits the biased story he is telling”.
Cancer and the causes are very complex and to target golf courses specifically in a world where anything can be toxic is a stretch. In this world of “Fake News” CBC should engage in some fact checking to ensure the accuracy and truthfulness of a story before going to air.
We would love to hear from the golf industry and in particular golf course superintendents and see what they have to say. Please comment below!
