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Reporter Shawn Doherty wrote a very biased article about electroshock (electroconvulsive therapy or ECT) for her paper, Capitol Times in Wisconsin. She quotes five (5) credentialed experts in support of shock… and quotes zero (0) expert critics (though she mentions MindFreedom). The newspaper did publish letters by three MindFreedom members in response, including a mini-debate with the journalist. [Updated 8 August 2011.]
‘Cuckoo’s Nest’: Wisconsin Newspaper Carries Electroshock Mini-Debate
Date Published:
Author: Shawn Doherty
Source: The Capitol Times, Madison, Wisconsin
MindFreedom ZAPBACK News – please forward
MFI Initiative on Electroshock and Human Rights
Electroshock Coverage Debated in Wisconsin Newspaper
The Madison Wisconsin newspaper Capital Times ran letters to the editor critical of their electroshock coverage. The letters included three from MindFreedom members — electroshock survivor Loretta Wilson (above right), MindFreedom director David Oaks, and Wisconsin psychologist Toby Wilson.
In an unusual move, the newspaper even gave the reporter, Shawn Doherty, a chance to respond.
Loretta Wilson v. Capital Times
A letter from electroshock survivor Loretta Wilson, a shock survivor, was published on 3 June 2011, you may read it here:
Watson v. Capital Times
Two days before, Wisconsin psychologist Dr. Toby Watson added his voice in an incisive letter highly critical of electroshock.
You may read his 1 June 2011 letter here:
Oaks v. Capital Times
Director of MindFreedom David Oaks kicked off the string of letters with his published on 20 May 2011, and the newspaper gave the reporter a chance to respond.
The headline for the exchange, between Oaks and reporter Shawn Doherty:
“Shock therapy story amounts to infomercial”
You can read the mini-debate here:
http://host.madison.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_085cf6f7-e50a-5f6f-b3ef-06f3054ece59.html
or use this link:
http://tinyurl.com/ect-cap-times-debate
The Original Biased Article
The original article on electroshock, published 18 May 2011, does mention MindFreedom’s campaigns against forced electroshock, including for survivor of forced electroshock Elizabeth Ellis.
Unfortunately, when it comes to experts reporter Doherty, simply talks to shock industry proponents, and quotes five of them, including a retired doctor outside of Wisconsin. Doherty quotes zero credentialed experts in opposition to electroshock.
Here is a link to the original article, with the reassuring headline, “Forget ‘Cuckoo’s Nest’ Safer shock therapy helping treat depression,” published 18 May 2011:
http://tinyurl.com/cap-times-shock
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While time has passed, it’s not too late to provide civil but strong feedback to let the newspaper know their bias and unprofessionalism have not been appreciated.
SPEAK OUT
Various ways to give powerful but civil feedback:
* COMMENT ON WEB
Like many such online comment opportunities, you have to register, and answer an e-mail. Find the ‘comments’ link on the original article.
* LETTER TO EDITOR
Letters MUST be below 250 words.
They strictly prohibit letters copied from advocacy groups, so use your own words.
There is a form for letters to editor at bottom of this page:
http://host.madison.com/ct/opinion/mailbag/
* COMMENT TO WRITER
The article is by SHAWN DOHERTY, e-mail address sdoherty@madison.com
* PHONE THE EDITOR
You can phone editors here:
Editor: Paul Fanlund, 608-252-6210
Managing editor: Chris Murphy, 608-252-6420
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MindFreedom International