BGH, commercially known as Posilac, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1993, but has been linked to cancer in several studies, and has been banned in Europe. On April 2, the reporters filed a lawsuit charging the station with violating the state's whistleblower act for firing them for refusing to alter their reports in ways they said were misleading. For reporters who want to pick up the BGH story, Akre and Wilson provide a list of all their sources, as well as their phone numbers. It was essentially a way we could share the story with everyone around the world, everyone in Tampa Bay and throughout the country, all of the evidence and backup documents, and audio and video of the exact story. You don't have to walk to the courthouse in Tampa.
Every desktop is like a courthouse.
Dave Boylan, vice president and general manager of WTVT-TV, said the Web site is a matter between disgruntled employees and the station. They were not, he said, released because of the story. They've said they were let go because of their strong editorial position. It's fairly amazing, that one minute you're sitting in a story meeting, and your story is not approved, and the next call you make is to your attorney. Boylan points to this week's series, and a recent talk show interview with the author of a book that is critical of BGH, as evidence that the station isn't avoiding the topic.