Lisa Stark

GMA: Health Labels 'Confusing' for Consumers
By Carolyn Plocher | October 21, 2009 | 2:45 PM EDT

In performing its duty to help save us from ourselves, ABC often turns to its favorite kill-joy food police, the Center for Science in the Public Interest. And they did it again on Oct. 21, when "Good Morning America's" Lisa Stark lamented with CSPI's executive director, Michael Jacobson, about the conniving designs of the food industry to lure unsuspecting consumers into its artery-clogging, diabetes-ridden death trap.

What would that death trap be? Well, it depends on what day you tune in. It could be anything from drug-like frappuccinos to "killer" donuts to conscienceless fried chicken to unnatural soda pop to "Heart Attack Entrees with Side Orders of Stroke." (And don't forget some of the absolute riskiest: leafy greens, eggs, tuna, tomatoes, sprouts, and berries.) This time, though, CSPI decided to attack more broadly by fighting against health labels, such as "Smart Choice," "Nutritional IQ," and the American Heart Association's heart-shaped logo.

These health labels are designed by "grocery stores, scientists, or manufacturers themselves to steer health conscious shoppers to supposedly nutritious products," warned Stark.

ABC Champions President Obama's Embryo-Destroying Stem Cell Decision
By Matthew Balan | March 9, 2009 | 5:26 PM EDT

Correspondent Lisa Stark’s report on ABC’s World News on Sunday almost completely slanted in favor of President Obama’s decision to overturn the ban on federal funding of stem cell research which destroys human embryos. Stark minimized the controversial nature of the research, devoting only one sound bite out of four to a critic of the president’s move.

Anchor Dan Harris introduced Stark’s report by selling the apparent promise of embryonic stem cell research: “President Obama is going to fulfill one of his campaign promises by ending restrictions on federally-funded research using embryonic stem cells. This could lead to better treatments and possibly cures for many diseases. But it will not end a visceral debate.” Despite this mention of the “visceral debate,” the report almost entirely focused on the hype from supporters of the research.

ABC Ignores Congressional Support, Only Shows Backlash to Northwest/Delta Merger
By Jeff Poor | April 16, 2008 | 4:58 PM EDT

If you didn't know any better, you might think ABC correspondent Lisa Stark has a personal vendetta against airline mergers.

For the second consecutive night, Stark gave viewers every reason to oppose a merger between Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) and Northwest Airlines (NYSE:NWA) on the April 15 "World News with Charles Gibson." This time it came in the form of opposition on Capitol Hill.

"But there was swift opposition," ABC correspondent Lisa Stark said. "A powerful lawmaker from Minnesota, where Northwest is based, called it one of the worst developments in aviation history."

Networks Ignore All Positives with Delta/Northwest Merger
By Jeff Poor | April 15, 2008 | 4:11 PM EDT

Operating under the assumption that what's good for business is bad for consumers forces the media to give Americans a narrow view of the world.

All three network newscasts on April 14 reported the Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) and Northwest Airlines (NYSE:NWA) as if it were a conspiracy to bilk air travelers out of more money.

"It's an unsettled time in the skies - planes grounded, flights cancelled, spiraling ticket prices," ABC correspondent Lisa Stark said on the April 14 "World News with Charles Gibson." "And now, things could get even more complicated. Delta operates 1,500 flights a day with hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, New York and Salt Lake City. Northwest - some 1,200 flights a day with hubs in Detroit, Minneapolis and Memphis. Put the two together, and passengers could take a hit."

Networks Blame FAA, Not Airlines for Runway Problems
By Paul Detrick | August 16, 2007 | 2:20 PM EDT

For a change, the media gave the government a hard time about air travel, instead of bashing the airlines. The media reported on new Federal Aviation Administration guidelines for better runway safety and on ABC's "World News with Charles Gibson" and CNN's "American Morning."

Lisa Stark said, "The FAA commission admits that runway collisions are an increasing threat," and cautioned that new rules could "lead to some more delays," but the report did not indicate that the airlines were a part of the problem.

This is in contrast to CBS's Randall Pinkston, who said August 12 that it would cost airlines more money to provide more services to passengers but charged: "airline analysts say [the airlines] can afford it," pointing to Northwest Airlines' $2 billion profit and neglecting to point out their bankruptcy status only a few months prior.