Newspapers \u2018censored\u2019 news and ads on natural approach to Covid<\/p>\n
By PFC Volunteer Roger Guttridge<\/p>\n
A medical research organisation claims it was blocked at every turn after trying to publicise its research into a natural, science-based approach to Covid-19 in the mainstream media.Paul Anthony Taylor, executive director of the international Dr Rath Health Foundation, said major newspapers refused to publish not only articles on their findings but advertisements that they were willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars for.<\/p>\n
Holding the Line has evidence that more than $40,000 was accepted by the Washington Post only to be returned after advertising executives were overruled.<\/p>\n
UK-based Mr Taylor said: \u201cSince the beginning of the pandemic, our scientific researchers in California did a lot of work with coronaviruses and nutrients and found that combinations of specific micronutrients were extremely effective in blocking coronavirus infections.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to put a piece in major newspapers. We talked to several international papers and without giving a reason they just said they couldn\u2019t do that.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWe talked to senior people in the ad departments of the New York Times, the Washington Post and other international papers and they all turned us down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Taylor said studies published by the Foundation\u2019s researchers in peer-reviewed scientific journals demonstrated that specific combinations of micronutrients were capable of blocking all known infection pathways of the coronavirus, including viral binding as well as its multiplications (replication) inside human body cells.<\/p>\n
See details of the studies here:<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.dr-rath- https:\/\/www.dr-rath- https:\/\/www.dr-rath- \u201cThe \u2018entry point\u2019 of SARS-CoV2 into the human body is the so-called ACE2 receptor, found on the surface of human body cells,\u201d said Mr Taylor.<\/p>\n \u201cThe binding of the virus to these receptors is currently being targeted by coronavirus vaccines.<\/p>\n \u201cOur research shows that specific micronutrients can inhibit this binding and, at the same time, the multiplication of the virus inside the cells.\u201d<\/p>\n The World Health Organization defines micronutrients as \u201cvitamins and minerals needed by the body in very small amounts\u201d and warns that the deficiencies can cause \u201csevere and even life-threatening conditions\u201d.<\/p>\n Mr Taylor said that despite providing evidence for a science-based alternative to coronavirus vaccines, their researchers\u2019 work in this area received no media attention.<\/p>\n \u201cWe agree that alternative Covid-19 news appears to have been censored, seemingly with the intention of creating one \u2018official\u2019 narrative,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no doubt that this lack of balance in reporting has led to public understanding of the pandemic being based on a distorted version of the truth.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I have a strong suspicion that the truth will eventually come out.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Taylor stressed that the not-for-profit Dr Rath Health Foundation\u2019s research was science-based and that no fewer than 125 previous studies by their researchers had been published on the US National Library of Medicine\u2019s PubMed website.<\/p>\n Link to previous DRHF studies on PubMed:<\/p>\n https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih. He added: \u201cI can only conclude that their coronavirus findings have essentially been censored in the media.\u201d<\/p>\n Holding the Line has received copies of extensive email correspondence between the Dr Rath Health Foundation and senior advertising staff of both the Washington Post and the New York Times.<\/p>\n On July 2, 2020, the Washington Post\u2019s international sales director offered the Foundation a $3,150 discount off the original $44,100 price and hinted at the possibility of a further discount if they would be flexible on positioning the advertisement.<\/p>\n She was clearly eager to clinch the deal.<\/p>\n A price of $40,600 was later agreed and paid on July 3.<\/p>\n On July 6 the copy for the display advertisement was sent and an insertion date of July 8 agreed.<\/p>\n But later that day, the sales director sent another email quoting the Washington Post\u2019s legal department, which said it would \u201cnot accept any advertising for a treatment that claims to treat a serious medical condition unless it has been approved by the FDA\u201d (US Food and Drug Administration).<\/p>\n Mr Taylor replied: \u201cThe main point is that the ad doesn\u2019t mention any product. It is simply reporting on a new study conducted by our scientific researchers.<\/p>\n \u201cFDA approval would only be required if the study was making health claims regarding a specific product.\u00a0\u201cIn other words, even if we were to ask for \u2018approval\u2019, the FDA could only give it if we were to apply for it in the context of a specific product.\u201d<\/p>\n On July 7, the sales director wrote: \u201cAs you appreciate, there is a huge amount of sensitivity around Covid-19 communication [and] the legal team has instructed that we will not be able to run this advertisement.\u201d<\/p>\n Plans to advertise in the New York Times were also fairly advanced when the paper\u2019s legal department decided it would not publish.<\/p>\n J\u00f6rg Wortman, the Dr Rath Health Foundation\u2019s publishing co-ordinator, replied to the New York Times advertising sales department: \u201cWe knew that the content would be controversial. But we also knew that it is pure science, what we wanted to present in these crazy times, and only science will offer a perspective to the people.<\/p>\n \u201cI am a bit sad that your legal department made this political decision.\u201dIt is clear from the correspondence that the paper\u2019s advertising executives made further efforts to print the advertisement.\u00a0But after further discussions, the legal department announced: \u201cAdvertisements for herbal and\/or other dietary supplements that claim to prevent, treat or cure serious medical conditions are unacceptable.<\/p>\n \u201cSupplements that generally claim to improve health, energy, stamina and wellbeing are acceptable, but in this situation, Dr Rath is clearly saying that micronutrients and supplements can help treat, prevent and cure Covid.<\/p>\n \u201cAdditionally, the FTC (US Federal Trade Commission) has been sending warning letters to\u00a0marketers to stop making claims that their products can prevent or treat Covid-19.<\/p>\n \u201cThe FTC stated that there is no scientific evidence that any products or services can treat or cure Covid-19.\u201d<\/p>\n Armed with this information, the New York Times\u2019s client lead for advertising and partnerships told Mr Wortman: \u201cThe only way we could take this ad is if the ad doesn\u2019t talk about supplements and how they can help with Covid, which I think is the whole point of the ad.\u201d\u00a0Holding the Line invited both the Washington Post and the New York Times to comment but neither has responded.<\/p>\n Notes to editors:<\/p>\n Holding the Line email:<\/p>\n JournalistsAgainstCovidCensors Holding the Line spokesman:<\/p>\n Roger Guttridge\u00a0Email:\u00a0rogersguttrid Dr Rath Health Foundation spokesman:<\/p>\n Paul Anthony Taylor<\/p>\n Email:\u00a0paul.taylor@dr-rath-