Anne Sweeney
President
Disney-ABC Television Group
3800 W Alameda Ave
Burbank, CA 91505-4300


May 8, 2006

 
Dear Ms. Sweeney,
 
We are writing to express our concern about the portrayal of the potential arrival of avian influenza in the United States in the movie “Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America” you plan to air on May 9th.  The dramatization of such a widely covered, yet widely misunderstood, health issue as avian influenza could mislead your viewers about the true risk presented by this virus.

We are also concerned that “Fatal Contact” and those who watch it will fall victim to common misconceptions about the causes of and best responses to the spread of the disease.  The reality of the avian influenza “crisis” is that just as much is unknown about the spread of this disease as is known.

The dramatization of such a serious public health issue as pandemic disease must be handled responsibly, or it does a disservice to viewers.  Unless the movie is accompanied by serious information, viewers are less likely to be able to distinguish between fact and fiction.  When it comes to avian influenza, American television viewers are more in need of information they can use to evaluate the situation than media hype.

The news division at your network is a more appropriate venue for educating the public about potential disease outbreaks than the entertainment division.  We urge you to follow up the airing of Fatal Contact with a thorough presentation of the facts and evolving understanding about avian influenza, including the role of industrialized poultry production and trade in spreading the disease.

The significance of large industrial-scale poultry operations – where up to hundreds of thousands of birds can be housed indoors in cramped conditions  – is not being examined by most of the media or by government officials charged with preventing the spread of the virus.  Such facilities not only provide prime conditions for the mutation and spread of the virus between birds, but also rely heavily on genetically similar birds not likely to be resistant to disease.  Additionally, the role of trade in poultry and poultry products in spreading the virus has been largely ignored in the public discussion of this issue. 

Additionally, we are concerned the public backlash of this film could hurt the interests of family farmers who are attempting to raise and sell poultry products raised in accordance with the principles of sustainable agriculture and humane animal husbandry in mind.  Without consumer support and understanding of the advantages of farming this way, small farmers will be put in serious danger.

Your advertisements promoting “Fatal Contact” say that the movie is “one step ahead of the headlines.”  We urge you not to take that step at the expense of your viewers’ understanding of this complex issue. If we can be of help in an effort to prepare a more balanced presentation on the issue of avian influenza, please contact Food & Water Watch.



Sincerely,


Farm Sanctuary

Food & Water Watch

National Family Farm Coalition

Organic Consumers Association

Sustainable Table

The Humane Society of the United States