Maddow Skewers PR Man and Lobbyist for Not Revealing Funding Sources

Rachel Maddow brought Rick Berman to her MSNBC-TV program on October 6, 2009, to find out how he funds the websites and other public relations initiatives he undertakes to challenge the science on issues ranging from trans fats and mercury in fish to high-fructose corn syrup. Berman claimed that his practice of nondisclosure, which is legal, is no different from what other groups do, no matter where they lie on the political spectrum. He contended that the information he posts on websites such as MercuryFacts. com or FishScam.com is based on science. Maddow, however, pointed out that one of his research directors, who provided written testimony to the Food and Drug Administration challenging studies purportedly showing a link between sweetened beverages and childhood obesity, has a degree in music and once produced a talk radio program.