GLAAD Calls on NPR to Correct Inaccurate Report on So-Called “Conversion Therapy

[Shana A]

Aug 2011 05
Ross Murray, GLAAD's Director of Religion, Faith & Values

GLAAD Calls on NPR to Correct Inaccurate Report on So-Called "Conversion Therapy"

http://glaadblog.org/2011/08/05/glaad-calls-on-npr-to-correct-inaccurate-report-on-so-called-conversion-therapy/

On Monday, August 1, National Public Radio (NPR) aired a segment during Morning Edition entitled "Can Therapy Help Change Sexual Orientation?" The report claimed that the debate about so-called "conversion therapy" continues in psychological circles. The fact is that all the major psychological and medical associations in the United States have stated that such treatment is ineffective and harmful. The story highlighted only two individuals, Rich Wyler and Peterson Toscano. Both men endured so-called "ex-gay" programs, but have very different views on the validity of such programs. With only two individual stories, NPR gave the false impression that the general population is split on so-called "conversation therapy".

[...]

Rich Wyler, on the other hand, is a promoter of these programs. Not included in the NPR report is the fact that Mr. Wyler runs his own so-called "ex-gay" ministry, called People Can Change, which includes a wilderness retreat, "Journey Into Manhood." Since the NPR piece aired, many have written about the practices employed by People Can Change and other so-called "ex-gay" programs.

[LivingInGrey]

I still don't think that NPR solely did this story to target, mislead or 'stir up the pot' on the conversion therapy issue. I think NPR was hinting a little more at the concept that Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann's husband works in the field of conversion therapy. Instead of completely coming out and saying it they may have just skirted the issue of conversion therapy in order to 'link' Michele Bachmann to a highly controversial (as GLAAD seems to be making it out to be) issue that might sway voters.

[Lisbeth]

Watchdog Group Report: Most NPR Sources are Conservative http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0525-11.htm