When Maple Leaf Foods recalled 220 packaged meat products that were potentially tainted with listeria bacteria, CEO Michael McCain issued an apology at a news conference, taking full responsibility for the crisis at the Toronto plant. Since that time, the public has been updated on a daily basis of the increasing number of cases across Canada and the rising death toll, which currently stands at ten people. How did you personally respond to the crisis? Did pay close attention to the story? Did you follow up every day to find out if the threat had changed in any way? Were you satisfied with the information your received through TV news reports, in newspaper articles, and on Internet blogs? In a public health crisis, do you think the media acts responsibly to provide information or do you think news directors only add to the hysteria by sensationalizing the story at every opportunity?
