Fox 31 inaccurately reported stem cell bill “legaliz[es]” research, joined other Denver TV stations in failing to name DeGette as sponsor

Written by Media Matters Staff

Published

KDVR Fox 31 co-anchor Libby Weaver erroneously stated that a bill passed January 11 by the U.S. House of Representatives “legaliz[es]” embryonic stem cell research; in fact, such research already is legal. Additionally, Weaver -- as well as co-anchors on KUSA 9News and KMGH 7News -- did not mention that the bill was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Democrat.

On the January 11 broadcast of KDVR Fox 31's News at Nine O'Clock, co-anchor Libby Weaver inaccurately reported that "[t]he House of Representatives [is] defying the president in passing a bill legalizing embryonic stem cell research." In fact, non-federally funded and certain federally funded embryonic stem cell research already is legal, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition, Fox 31 -- along with KUSA's 9News at 5 p.m. and KMGH's 7News at 10 p.m. -- did not mention that the bill was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Democrat.

Although Weaver correctly reported that DeGette's bill “lifts restrictions on using federal funds in support of the research,” it would not, as she asserted, legalize embryonic stem cell research. Rather, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (H.R. 3) seeks to lift the federal funding restrictions on research involving human embryonic stem cells that President Bush imposed in 2001. According to the NIH's website:

Research on human embryonic stem cell lines may receive NIH funding if the cell line meets the following criteria: removal of cells from the embryo must have been initiated before August 9, 2001, when the President outlined this policy; and the embryo from which the stem cell line was derived must no longer have had the possibility of developing further as a human being. The embryo must have been created for reproductive purposes but no longer be needed for them. Informed consent must have been obtained from the parent(s) for the donation of the embryo, and no financial inducements for donation are allowed.

In addition to her inaccurate description of the stem cell bill, Weaver failed to note DeGette's sponsorship. 9News at 5 p.m. co-anchor Bob Kendrick made the same omission, reporting on January 11 only that the “Democratic-controlled House of Representatives has passed a bill boosting federal funding support of embryonic stem cell research.”

On the January 11 broadcast of 7News at 10 p.m., co-anchor Mitch Jelniker also failed to note DeGette's sponsorship when he reported, “All seven House representatives from Colorado voted along party lines in today's House vote on the stem cell research bill. ... All four Colorado Democrats voted for the bill; all three GOP reps voted against it.”

DeGette's current bill is identical to legislation she co-authored with Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) in 2005. The previous bill passed the House in May 2005 and the Senate in July 2006, but Bush vetoed the measure on July 19. The current bill passed the House 253-174 on January 11, falling short of the number needed to override another threatened Bush veto.

From the January 11 broadcast of KDVR Fox 31's News at Nine O'Clock:

LIBBY WEAVER: In our nation's capital, stem cell research taking center stage again. The House of Representatives defying the president in passing a bill legalizing embryonic stem cell research. The bill lifts restrictions on using federal funds in support of the research. The measure is identical to the one President Bush vetoed last year, the only veto of his presidency.

From the January 11 broadcast of KUSA's 9News at 5 p.m.:

BOB KENDRICK: The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives has passed a bill boosting federal funding support of embryonic stem cell research. That story tops our look at “America Today.” The bill passed 253 to 174, but fell short of the two-thirds needed to overturn a presidential veto. Last year the president vetoed identical legislation and promised he will do so again. Some scientists consider the research on cells from human embryos to be the most promising approach to finding potential treatments for everything from cancer to Alzheimer's. The president feels such funding promotes the destruction of human life for research.

From the January 11 broadcast of KMGH's 7News at 10 p.m.:

MITCH JELNIKER: All seven House Representatives from Colorado voted along party lines in today's House vote on the stem cell research bill. “Covering America” on 7News. The bill passed the House, but not by a two-thirds majority needed to override President Bush's promised veto. All four Colorado Democrats voted for the bill; all three GOP reps voted against it.