That Meryl. Always causing trouble.
A pro-choice vaccination campaigner whose appearance at this year’s Woodford Folk Festival has drawn controversy claims she is the victim of an orchestrated campaign against her.
A media storm has erupted over the listing of Meryl Dorey, of the Australian Vaccination Network, as a speaker at the festival on December 29 and 30.
Critics have accused Ms Dorey of spreading misinformation and have suggested she would present a public danger by speaking at the festival.
Ms Dorey said she had been targeted for the past two years by people opposed to her pro-choice vaccination views. She believed most of the opposition stemmed from the Australian Skeptics group.
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And here is a take on why Ms. Dorey SHOULD be allowed to speak for several reasons but also to avoid allowing her to act as “victim”.
The Woodford Folk Festival has a history of inviting controversial speakers to all its forums, not in support of their views but to foster the spirit of heated debate on which the festival thrives.
Rather than being given a free kick or an open microphone for her anti-vaccination views, Dorey’s attendance at this forum will also allow for an opportunity for her views to be challenged and put under scrutiny in a very public setting.
First, one clarification… there is no justification for calling the AVN “pro-choice” as they clearly discourage vaccinating. Next issue: I can see both sides here. Those opposing her talk have very good reasons – the spread of misinformation on such a serious and critical issue and the promotion of Ms. Dorey as an expert on vaccinations. But, those who say allow her to speak note that it’s a good opportunity to call her out in public – always a fun event and usually worthwhile. I realize this topic is highly charged, children have died and many have suffered from diseases that are completely preventable by vaccination. It’s tough to get past the anger that people of reason feel towards anti-vax proponents. Yet, this situation is drawing attention to the critical problem. Those who can put on the best display succeed.
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