AP News' Record-Setting Autism Coverage Pushes Back Against Misinformation
AP News delivered a comprehensive report on White House statements about autism, drawing nearly 1 million views across platforms. The team, led by AP, collaborated to push back against misinformation and maintain factual accuracy.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current US Health Secretary, sparked controversy by suggesting a link between vaccines and autism. This stance, echoing long-discredited theories, has been widely criticized, including by Hillary Clinton. Kennedy also dismissed the CDC's vaccine advisory committee, further polarizing the issue.
AP News covered the breaking news, highlighting how Trump's statements ignored established science. The team produced follow-up stories, including a fact-focused piece, a feature on pregnant women's confusion, a political analysis, and an exclusive interview. The coverage dominated APNews.com with 464,000 page views and a YouTube livestream with nearly 500,000 views. The team included Washington teams, Health and Science, and Standards editors, ensuring a well-rounded perspective.
AP News' collaborative effort provided thorough, fact-based coverage of White House statements about autism, pushing back against misinformation and drawing significant public attention. The team's work ensured that established science remained at the core of the discussion.
