Council Attempts To Block Screening Of Documentary

Dunedin City Council Tries To Block Channel 9's Screening Of Documentary "The Fluoride Deception"

Fluoride Action Network members are outraged by the actions of Dunedin City Council to try to block Dunedin's Channel 9 from airing a "G" rated documentary on their channel next Monday. The documentary, which explains how come fluoridation was introduced to American influenced countries and what happens when scientists speak out about the dangers, was recently classified by New Zealand's Film and Video Labelling Body.

According to Olive McRae from Fluoride Action Network, Dunedin City Council's Communications Manager Rodney Bryant contacted the local TV station and suggested that it wasn't a good idea to screen the documentary as he used to be a member of the Broadcasting Standards Authority. “Mr Bryant's actions are totally unacceptable. We do not expect this heavy handed approach to be dished out by local councils whose job is to manage their city's resources not to police the airways” said Ms McRae.

This morning's Star Newspaper in Dunedin ran the following front page article www.thestar.co.nz. “I'd like to point out that all Dunedin City Councillors were given a copy of this documentary a few weeks ago so it is very interesting to hear that Mr Bryant is saying that he hasn't even viewed the documentary. Or if he has never viewed it how can he say it may be alarmist?”

According to Mr Bryant “If a programme was broadcast that was “alarmist” or “could cause disquiet in the community” then the Council or Public Health may feel obliged to take some action”. Ms McRae said this attitude is totally appalling. If truthful information about fluoridation causes alarm or disquiet then it is the responsibility of the Council TO act. They can’t just go around hiding information from the public so that they don't have to do anything."

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