Responsible Journalism, Environmental Advocacy, and the Great Apple Scare of 1989

Abstract

In 1989, American news media produced hundreds of stories about the possible cancer risks from eating apple products treated with the growth regulation chemical Alar. The public alarm caused by these stories has since been offered as a textbook example of irresponsible journalism. Some of the stories lived down to their sensationalist reputation, but the coverage in aggregate provided the kind of information consumers needed to reach intelligent conclusions about the involved issues. The initial alarmist stories appear to have launched a vigorous media debate about the risks consumers face from pesticides and other hazards.

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