Paul D. Thacker
Encyclopedia
Paul D. Thacker, sometimes bylined as Paul Thacker, is an American journalist
who specializes in science, medicine and environmental reporting. He has written for Science
, Journal of the American Medical Association
, Salon.com
, and The New Republic
, and Environmental Science & Technology
. In 2009, he was working as an investigator for Senator Chuck Grassley
investigating medical research conflicts of interest
. He has been interviewed on programs such as Fox News Sunday
, and CNN Headline News
.
In 2006, he won 2nd place in the annual awards presented by the Society of Environmental Journalists
. That same year, Thacker’s work was profiled on Exposé: America's Investigative Reports
.
In September 2006, Thacker wrote a story for Salon that reported on political suppression of climate science within the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The agency sits within the Department of Commerce. Chuck Fuqua, an official in Commerce, was choosing which NOAA scientists could speak to the press about the link between global warming and hurricanes. Fuqua has no training in science and Thacker reported that he was director of media relations for the 2004 Republican National Convention.
One of the documents Thacker found was released by the office of Congressman Waxman. Based partly on Thacker’s reporting, 14 Senators launched an investigation into NOAA and NASA
.
In 2005, he wrote that Steven J. Milloy had judged the 2004 science journalism contest put on the American Association for the Advancement of Science
(AAAS). The contest is widely cited as the most prestigious prize in science journalism. Milloy is a science columnist for Fox News. Milloy has been a lobbyist for the EOP group, and he had headed up The Advancement of Sound Science Coalition (TASSC), an industry front created by Big Tobacco. Milloy also runs a couple of non-profits from his home that receive money from Exxon-Mobil. After Thacker, revealed Milloy’s ties to industry, AAAS removed any mention of Milloy from its Web site, but Thacker saved a copy of the Web page which can be found in his story.
Thacker also reported on a product defense company called The Weinberg Group
. In the story, Thacker wrote about a letter that The Weinberg Group sent to DuPont outlining a plan to protect DuPont from litigation and regulation over Teflon. The Weinberg Group had done similar work for Big Tobacco and is currently working in Europe to defeat alcohol regulations.
Thacker’s reporting angered Bill Carroll a board member of the American Chemical Society
(ACS). He characterized Thacker’s reporting as “anti-industry.” Bill Carroll is the president of The Vinyl Institute
and chairs the ACS committee on executive compensation. Thacker later resigned from his job at ACS.
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
who specializes in science, medicine and environmental reporting. He has written for Science
Science (journal)
Science is the academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is one of the world's top scientific journals....
, Journal of the American Medical Association
Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association is a weekly, peer-reviewed, medical journal, published by the American Medical Association. Beginning in July 2011, the editor in chief will be Howard C. Bauchner, vice chairman of pediatrics at Boston University’s School of Medicine, replacing ...
, Salon.com
Salon.com
Salon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
, and The New Republic
The New Republic
The magazine has also published two articles concerning income inequality, largely criticizing conservative economists for their attempts to deny the existence or negative effect increasing income inequality is having on the United States...
, and Environmental Science & Technology
Environmental Science & Technology
Environmental Science & Technology , is a peer-reviewed scientific journal, published since 1967 by the American Chemical Society. As the name indicates, it publishes original research in environmental science, but also comprehensive, critical reviews. Publication is currently every other week...
. In 2009, he was working as an investigator for Senator Chuck Grassley
Chuck Grassley
Charles Ernest "Chuck" Grassley is the senior United States Senator from Iowa . A member of Republican Party, he previously served in the served in the United States House of Representatives and the Iowa state legislature...
investigating medical research conflicts of interest
Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation for an act in the other....
. He has been interviewed on programs such as Fox News Sunday
Fox News Sunday
Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace is a public affairs program on the Fox network, hosted by Chris Wallace and airing on Sunday mornings. The show began on April 28, 1996, which predated the launch of Fox News Channel, and usually talks about items similar to Sunday morning talk shows...
, and CNN Headline News
CNN Headline News
HLN, formerly known as CNN Headline News and CNN2, is a cable television news channel based in the United States and a spinoff of the cable news television channel, CNN. Initially airing tightly-formatted 30-minute newscasts around the clock, since 2005, the channel has increasingly aired long-form...
.
In 2006, he won 2nd place in the annual awards presented by the Society of Environmental Journalists
Society of Environmental Journalists
The Society of Environmental Journalists is a non-profit created by and for journalists who report environmental topics in the news media. The mission of the Society of Environmental Journalists is to strengthen the quality, reach and viability of journalism across all media to advance public...
. That same year, Thacker’s work was profiled on Exposé: America's Investigative Reports
EXPOSÉ: America's Investigative Reports
Exposé: America's Investigative Reports is a half-hour PBS documentary series that details some of the most revealing investigative journalism in America. Tentatively titled Airtime during development, Thirteen/WNET and the Center for Investigative Reporting launched AIR: America's Investigative...
.
In September 2006, Thacker wrote a story for Salon that reported on political suppression of climate science within the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The agency sits within the Department of Commerce. Chuck Fuqua, an official in Commerce, was choosing which NOAA scientists could speak to the press about the link between global warming and hurricanes. Fuqua has no training in science and Thacker reported that he was director of media relations for the 2004 Republican National Convention.
One of the documents Thacker found was released by the office of Congressman Waxman. Based partly on Thacker’s reporting, 14 Senators launched an investigation into NOAA and NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
.
In 2005, he wrote that Steven J. Milloy had judged the 2004 science journalism contest put on the American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
(AAAS). The contest is widely cited as the most prestigious prize in science journalism. Milloy is a science columnist for Fox News. Milloy has been a lobbyist for the EOP group, and he had headed up The Advancement of Sound Science Coalition (TASSC), an industry front created by Big Tobacco. Milloy also runs a couple of non-profits from his home that receive money from Exxon-Mobil. After Thacker, revealed Milloy’s ties to industry, AAAS removed any mention of Milloy from its Web site, but Thacker saved a copy of the Web page which can be found in his story.
Thacker also reported on a product defense company called The Weinberg Group
Weinberg Group
The Weinberg Group is a Washington, DC-based consulting group, specializing in "international scientific and regulatory consulting" and "help[ing] companies protect their product at every stage of its life." Founded in 1983, the firm assists pharmaceutical, pesticide, and chemical companies in...
. In the story, Thacker wrote about a letter that The Weinberg Group sent to DuPont outlining a plan to protect DuPont from litigation and regulation over Teflon. The Weinberg Group had done similar work for Big Tobacco and is currently working in Europe to defeat alcohol regulations.
Thacker’s reporting angered Bill Carroll a board member of the American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society is a scientific society based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. Founded in 1876 at New York University, the ACS currently has more than 161,000 members at all degree-levels and in all fields of chemistry, chemical...
(ACS). He characterized Thacker’s reporting as “anti-industry.” Bill Carroll is the president of The Vinyl Institute
The Vinyl Institute
The Vinyl Institute is a U.S. industry trade group representing manufacturers of vinyl, vinyl chloride monomer, vinyl additives and modifiers, and vinyl packaging materials. It was established in 1982 and is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia....
and chairs the ACS committee on executive compensation. Thacker later resigned from his job at ACS.
External links
- Thacker interview. "Science Fiction", Exposé: America's Investigative ReportsEXPOSÉ: America's Investigative ReportsExposé: America's Investigative Reports is a half-hour PBS documentary series that details some of the most revealing investigative journalism in America. Tentatively titled Airtime during development, Thirteen/WNET and the Center for Investigative Reporting launched AIR: America's Investigative...
, PBSPublic Broadcasting ServiceThe Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....