Last week KTLA-TV produced a report on mercury in seafood that did include statements from NFI but still missed the mark on a number of journalistic issues, including the title which was rife with exaggeration; “Fish and Mercury: Recipe for Disaster“- Yum, I’d like an extra helping of hyperbole with my headline, please.

Granted the report was featured on KTLA’s Extras page along side such recognized journalistic feats as Martha Stewart’s Puppy Killed in Freak Kennel Explosion, Rapper ‘Coolio’ Busted at LAX for Drugs and of course Boy Gets His Head Stuck in Storm Drain.

While those headlines aren’t quite as important as say “Five Held in Plot to Bug Democratic Offices Here,” (Washington Post; Sunday, June 18, 1972) they are supposed to represent KTLA’s journalism standards and should at least be well research and accurate.

Here’s our letter to KTLA management:

March 10, 2009

Patrick O’Keefe

News Manager

KTLA-TV

Los Angeles

VIA Email

Dear Mr. O’Keefe,

I am writing to draw your attention to a number of errors in fact and violations of basic journalism tenets contained in your station’s March 5th report on mercury in commercial seafood. We were pleased that KTLA reached out to the National Fisheries Institute for inclusion in the report but must insist that the issues herein be addressed.

The title of the report found under KTLA Extras is “Fish and Mercury: Recipe for Disaster.” As you and your staff well know there is no “disaster” associated with this subject and certainly no “disaster” associated with any aspect of the report. This title is an obvious violation of the