Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis\u2019 rapid response director Christina Pushaw accused Politico of \u201cmedia malpractice\u201d on Thursday for publishing a misleading headline exaggerating the concern among local doctors over DeSantis\u2019 medical \u201cfree speech\u201d initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the piece titled \u201cFlorida doctors worried DeSantis gives \u2018fringe\u2019 dermatologist a platform,\u201d Politico\u2019s Matt Dixon claimed that Florida doctor Jon Ward\u2019s close association with DeSantis worries Florida\u2019s medical community due to his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine and certain pandemic restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dixon wrote that Ward, who has appeared at various events alongside the governor, aligns with DeSantis on COVID issues and has been given a platform by the governor to promote his \u201cfringe\u201d positions as DeSantis moves to put free speech protections in place for medical providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The story was fiercely denounced by Pushaw on Twitter, who pointed out that only one identified public health worker \u2013 from Michigan \u2013 was quoted in the story, in addition to nine anonymous members of the Florida Medical Association who reportedly claimed they were concerned that fellow member Ward\u2019s boost from DeSantis could help him spread \u201cmedical misinformation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pushaw, also emphasized that the story includes \u201cabout a half dozen\u201d additional sources who expressed support for Ward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMedia malpractice: Journactivist @Mdixon55 writes @politico headline that \u2018Florida doctors\u2019 are \u2018worried\u2019 about @dermatophyte speaking at Gov. DeSantis\u2019 presser. Story quotes: \u2013 1 doctor in Michigan \u2013 9 anonymous sources against Ward \u2013 \u2018about a half dozen\u2019 sources supporting Ward,\u201d she wrote on Twitter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pushaw slammed the headline as \u201cintentionally misleading\u201d in a subsequent tweet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe @Mdixon55 @politico headline is intentionally misleading. \u2018Florida doctors\u2019 are not a monolith. As the article itself admits, they have different opinions, which is good and exactly why we need protections for medical professionals\u2019 freedom of speech,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n