i don't think the media has done itself — has not really — it's not had a good episode here. i think there are exceptions but, really, the running has been done by generalists — predominantly by female journalists — and all of the health and science specialists have been absent. there really wasn't the support from the wider bbc. and, rebecca coombes, if i could bring you in — you're head ofjournalism at the british medicaljournal. would you agree? would you say that science journalists avoided this subject? i'm afraid i would, actually. why? why did they? i think there was a real hesitancy, and i'm hopeful that post—cass, the hesitant might be more courageous in stepping into the silence. i think there was a real mishmash between evidence and advocacy, and that became a problem.