Asren Pugh, Bangalow
I was thoroughly disappointed to see The Echo promoting anti-vaccination propaganda advertising on page 16 of last week’s Echo, under the heading of ‘Health and Healing’ no less.
The AVN is a dangerous organisation that has been subject to public warnings by the Health Care Complaints Commission. They warn the public that the AVN disseminates ‘misleading, misrepresented, and incorrect information about vaccination [that] engenders fear and alarm’.
I doubt The Echo would promote a doctor that had the same warnings against them, nor would it promote industries that are damaging the health of us and our planet, like a CSG. It should take the same approach with the AVN and refuse its advertising money.
This pandemic has shown us just how dangerous conspiracy theories can be, with thousands of people refusing to get tested for COVID-19 in Melbourne, with many citing conspiracy theories as their reason. The anti-vaccination movement is built on fear and conspiracy. It should not be supported by any serious media outlet like The Echo.
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For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
