11 Nov 95 09:55, Cheryl Applebaum wrote to Greg Lockwood:
 CA> GL*  Did anyone see the report on CBC's Fifth Estate about learning to
 CA> scuba * dive on Tuesday night? If so what did you think about it?
 CA> It was Marketplace, and it was totally BOGUS!
 CA> I think any self respecting diver who watched it should write to them &
 CA> tell them that before they do a story on this type of topic, some good
 CA> solid UNBIASED research would be in order.
I've seen this happen once before on 20-20 maybe 10 years ago.  They did a 
"story" (very good label for the resulting project) where they trashed PADI 
for using dive tables that they knew weren't "safe".  What they failed to 
mention was that the dive tables in question were the US Navy tables and 
every dive organization on this planet used the numbers from them......fairly 
significant points that would destroy their own thesis.
They trotted out some schmuck who was in litigation with PADI over the 
tables, and if I remember correctly, they also trotted out an "expert" from 
one of the competitors agreeing that the PADI table wasn't safe (though his 
own table was identical).
It was very cute.  I remember being so incensed at the time at this 
outrageous trumped up story that it colored my perception of every story that 
20-20 ever did.  As far as I'm concerned, 20-20 is entertainment with no 
basis on fact. If they telecast it, I assume that it isn't true.  Any time I 
see one of their broadcasters, I assume that he/she is lying, no matter what 
words are being uttered.  How can I tell when a 20-20 broadcaster is lying:  
when they move their lips......
 CA> Not only did they never contact a world renowned & impartial source
 CA> such as DAN to see how out of touch their findings were, but I'll
 CA> wager that NONE of the people that researched the piece are even
 CA> divers.
That's what tore me up over the infamous 20-20 broadcast: Hugh Downs WAS a 
diver, and he didn't say squat.....just let the crap go out unchallenged.  I 
guess it's not nice to tell one of your fellow broadcast "professionals" that 
he's full of shit.
Just my opionion.....your mileage may vary.
Jay
PADI M-9033
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