Sunday, June 29, 2008

Dive Photo Guide addresses "Shark Week" 2007

On 07/19/07, RTSea wrote: Here is a link, posted by Jason Heller, CEO of DivePhotoGuide.com, which presents an open letter to the executive heads of Discovery Communications:

http://www.divephotoguide.com/discovery_shark_week.php.

The letter is signed by many leading shark researchers and conservationists and takes exception to the image of sharks promoted by the Discovery Channel through its annual Shark Week programming.

As a filmmaker, I understand the issues that broadcasters face in developing programming that has audience appeal and would attract advertisers. But perhaps this letter represents the tip of a slowly growing iceberg of changing opinion. With a growing public interest and awareness in environmental issues, perhaps Discovery could take a leadership position by harking back to many of its founding scientific and educational values and, in so doing, still find "gold in going green." Food for thought.

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