text_1: Busting the vitamin C myth
text_2: "This report does a good job of using a recent, credible report to debunk the myth that taking vitamin C can prevent or treat colds. The segment uses its medium fairly well to deliver the key message. The piece has two major weaknesses. First, it fails to make clear the distinction between the benefits of vitamin C supplements and whole foods rich in the vitamin. More important is the overstatement the physician-journalist made about the possiblilty the vitamin itself can help prevent cancer. This is a major error that can mislead viewers about a very serious condition. (This problem is compounded at the end of the piece when the host says, ""I’m still taking vitamin C,"" without any challenge from the physician-journalist.) At the end of the piece, the host tells viewers that more information is available from its online partner, WebMD. This is commendable, a best practice in broadcast medical news. The WebMD article does indeed provide additional details about the Cochrane report that can help viewers understand the topic better."