Sharyl Attkisson has been one of the less reliable members of the media when it comes to the autism/vaccine discussion. She promotes the purported link, defended Andrew Wakefield and gave David Kirby (of Evidence of Harm fame) a platform to promote his views.
For example. Recall a few years back when the Hornig study (Lack of Association between Measles Virus Vaccine and Autism with Enteropathy: A Case-Control Study) came out definitively putting to rest the idea that MMR causes autistic regression/GI disease with persistent measles measles infection. Ms. Attkisson wrote a piece, New Study Disproves Vaccine/MMR/Autism Link.
But she didn’t write about the new study or how it disproves the MMR/autism link.
There’s a new study in the Public Library of Science regarding vaccine measles and autism which purports to disprove a vaccine/MMR/autism link.
Also, researchers at ThoughtfulHouse wrote an opposing analysis:
She didn’t discuss the study at all. Instead she linked to printed a press release by (then) Andrew Wakefield’s Thoughtful House.
Readers won’t be surprised that I was dismayed to read that she’s now getting an award. From “Accuracy in Media“, to be given out at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Dismayed that is until I saw what “Accuracy” in Media has as a track record.
Here’s a particularly egregious example of an article from an “Accuracy in Media” “report“:
Repealing the ban on open homosexuals serving in the U.S. military would be a mistake of historic proportions but the mainstream media are turning a blind eye.
The intro is bad enough. The discussion worse. Why? Well, the author of that hate piece is
Dr. Scott Lively, a Massachusetts attorney and pastor, is co-author, along with Kevin E. Abrams, of The Pink Swastika: Homosexuality in the Nazi Party.
Yes. The Nazis were gay. How does the saying go, you can’t parody a farce? Read more examples of AIM’s “accuracy”in CBS To Receive Award From Fringe Group At CPAC. With links to AIM’s support of the Birthers and other outlandish claims against President Obama.
Well, this farcical organization is going to “honor” Sharyl Attkisson. I guess there is something worse than getting a “Gallileo” award from the Age of Autism.
Left Brain Right Brain 
Brian Deer received the prestigious British Press Award, Sharyl Attkisson, the CPAC “Accuracy in Media Award”. A perfect honour bestowed upon her for her, ahem, impeccable reporting and I’m sure she won’t see how embarrassing this really is.
Do we know whether she intends to accept it?
“Do we know whether she intends to accept it?”
She’s on the schedule for the conference. Thursday at 3:45, if I recall correctly.
The Daily Show skewered Scott Lively. I can’t stop giggling.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-july-28-2010/gay-reichs