UNC Journalism Professors Critical of UNC-TV Series

Journalism experts have criticized a three-part series about Alcoa that was broadcast on UNC-TV on July 6-8, saying the segments did not meet universally accepted journalism standards and should not have been accepted for broadcast.

Alcoa has obtained a draft memorandum prepared by a panel of three journalism professors from the UNC School of Journalism & Mass Communication.  The review by Leroy Towns, Andy Bechtel and Jim Hefner cites a “breakdown in the editorial process” that resulted in “an unbalanced and slanted view” of these issues that is “unsupported by the facts.”

Because the UNC-TV series is being distributed widely by Alcoa’s opponents, it is important for people to understand that independent journalism experts have raised serious concerns about the credibility of the stories.  Viewers need to know the series has serious flaws and should not be taken at face value. 

For more analysis about the UNC-TV series, click here to read a related blog post by Leroy Towns.

“Sources are stacked on one side, statements about health risk and environmental damage are made without credible sources, 40-year-old documents are made to look modern, and a lawyer for people suing Alcoa dominates. Additionally, Alcoa projects in other states are slid into the program so that they appear to reflect on the Yadkin project and facts favorable to Alcoa were ignored,” Towns writes.  “Any UNC journalism student producing this kind of “story” would get a failing grade.”

Read more about this story from WRAL TV or the Carolina Journal.

Report from the Legislature

In the waning hours of this year's legislative session, the NC General Assembly passed a bill to create a Uwharrie Regional Resources Commission that will "encourage quality growth and development while preserving the natural resources of the Uwharrie region of North Carolina." 

                                               

The Uwharrie Commission is an advisory group with a broad scope and no regulatory authority.  It is very different from the Yadkin River Trust bill that was defeated last year.

                                               

Efforts during the legislative session to resurrect the Yadkin River Trust legislation were unsuccessful. 

                                               

Thank you to all those who supported us during this legislative session as we worked to prevent a government takeover of our property.

Video: The Facts About Alcoa

There's been a lot of discussion about Alcoa.  We want to make sure you hear the truth.


Please take 3 minutes to watch this short video to hear the facts about Alcoa.  From Stanly County residents.  From elected officials.  And from the people who live along the lakes of the Yadkin River.

Click here to watch the video.

Brockovich Comes to North Carolina

Erin Brockovich traveled to North Carolina yesterday to discuss her life as an environmental activist and weigh in on the Yadkin River Trust.  Alcoa is proud of its environmental stewardship of the Yadkin River and is continuing to invest in improvements that will improve water quality.

You can click here to read an interesting story about Brockovich’s visit in the Carolina Journal.

Half Truths... The Most Cowardly of Lies

Mark Twain said it best: A half truth is the most cowardly of lies.

The recent ads being put out from the NC Water Rights Committee are filled with half truths about Alcoa’s environmental track record.

Here is what the ads don’t tell you:

Alcoa began testing Badin Lake for PCBs in late 1996.  This data was shared with the NC Department of Health and NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources in early 1997.  The NC Department of Health’s prompt conclusion: the PCBs should not pose a significant health risk. 

The ads also don’t tell you that the state has found similar levels of PCBs in fish in portions of the Yadkin River near Mocksville, well upstream of the Badin Works plant, or that some of the highest levels of PCBs in fish in Badin Lake were also upstream of Badin Works.

Don't be distracted by the scare tactics of the NC Water Rights Committee.  This is simply an attempt by them to mislead people about their support for a costly government takeover of Alcoa's property.