I predicted this a few hours ago, but I claim no credit for something so obvious. I want to highlight some of the ignorance and irresponsibility in reporting the NIH’s announcement on circumcision, which includes Adult Male Circumcision … in the title. I’m going to report the headlines from news media (including press releases and derivations), since that’s the extent of what I suspect most people willing to circumcise will read. It’s the key word, so it should be in every headline. Without further ado:
- Kenya: More Proof That a Snip in Time Could Save Men From HIV
- Circumcision halves the risk of Aids
- Study: Circumcision reduces HIV risk
- Circumcision may cut risk of HIV
- Male circumcision greatly reduces HIV risk -studies
- Studies find male circumcision reduces HIV risk
- Circumcision ‘cuts’ HIV infection
- Circumcisions May Cut Chance Of Contracting AIDS
- Studies Show Male Circumcision Reduces HIV Risk in Half
- Circumcision ‘halves HIV rate’
- Researchers Say Circumcised Men Less Likely To Get HIV
- Circumcision reduces HIV/AIDS infection in men
- CIHR-funded research in Kenya: Study shows circumcision reduces incidence of HIV
- Two circumcision studies halted after circumcised men’s HIV risk halved
- Circumcision may cut risk of HIV
- Circumcision ‘reduces HIV risk’
- Circumcision greatly reduces men’s HIV risk: studies
- Male circumcision greatly reduces HIV risk-studies
- Circumcision May Cut Risk of HIV
- Circumcision lowers HIV risk substantially, 2 studies show
- Male circumcision found safe, effective
- Male circumcision greatly reduces HIV risk -studies
- Male circumcision greatly reduces HIV risk: study
- Circumcision may cut risk of HIV
- Circumcision May Cut Risk of HIV
- Male Circumcision Reduces HIV Risk; Study Stopped Early
- Trials Show Male Circumcision Reduces HIV Infection
- Research in Kenya: Study Shows Circumcision Reduces Incidence of HIV
- Joint Statement on Kenyan and Ugandan Trial Findings Regarding Male Circumcision and HIV
- Circumcision May Cut Risk of HIV
- CIHR-funded research in Kenya: Study shows circumcision reduces incidence of HIV
- Male circumcision reduces HIV risk, study stopped early
- Male Circumcision Found Safe, Effective
There are duplicates in there, since news media outlets tend to use canned articles from the AP, Reuters, etc. I’ve left them in because each outlet has the option to be responsible or lazy. It’s clear which path most take.
Now for the news media worth praising, if only slightly.
Yeah, I’ll let men slide, even though it’s a weak effort that will be probably not be interpreted as adult males. I need to rescue some hope from the garbage bin where infant rights rest. Unfortunately, that’s little consolation when looking at the one that gets it right by including the vital word before men:
One. That is shameful. How many boys will suffer the scalpel because of this laziness and/or bias?