MOOSE JAW — A Moose Jaw health provider has filed a defamation lawsuit against the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and one of its reporters over an article the news outlet ran about the provider’s services.
A news release issued by the Restorative Health Centre, says Dr. Dayan Goodenowe, founder, entered his lawsuit in Court of King’s Bench Judicial Centre in Regina, alleging that CBC and reporter Geoff Leo harmed his reputation and caused the community to view him negatively.
The lawsuit claims that CBC’s reporting contained “blatantly false statements” and failed to “independently provide” Goodenowe with an opportunity to rebut the allegations, according to a news release that the health provider distributed. Goodenowe also alleged that CBC and Leo “acted with reckless disregard for the truth.”
In June, the public broadcaster released “Hard to Swallow,” which criticized Goodenowe’s work helping patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a rare, terminal neurodegenerative disorder that results in the progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons that control voluntary muscle contraction.
Goodenowe’s website says he is a world-renowned neuroscientist whose supplements and treatment programs can halt the progression of ALS symptoms and put patients on the path to recovery.
His research also focuses on reversing the effects of autism.
The feature-length article highlighted the experiences of several American patients and the concerns they — or their loved ones — had about their outcomes. Furthermore, it featured comments from a University of Alberta professor and the chief scientific officer at the ALS Society of Canada, while it questioned his medical credentials.
Goodenowe spoke to MooseJawToday.com about the article, saying it was “quite disturbing” because he gave CBC plenty of information about his clinics’ work and clients’ success stories, but the broadcaster used none of it.
Goodenowe said in the news release that throughout his career, he has worked to advance science and serve clients with integrity.
“I welcome fair, rigorous journalism. But when reporting crosses the line into defamation to satisfy a reporter’s personal pre-determined false narrative, it undermines public trust and damages years of dedicated work,” the health practitioner said.
Continuing, Goodenowe said that large news organizations like CBC “wield great power,” but with such power “comes the responsibility to not abuse it” or allow reporters to use it for oppression.
“This legal action is about ensuring accuracy and accountability, not just for myself, but for others (who) are less able to defend themselves against such abuses of power,” Goodenowe added.
The health practitioner’s centre operates a self-directed research program that offers education, nutritional support and advanced biochemical testing to participants from around the world, says Goodenowe, pointing out that the Restorative Health Centre is not a medical venue and does not replace conventional care, but operates in compliance with provincial and federal laws.
The news release stated that Goodenowe’s legal filing seeks monetary damages, a public retraction of the article, and for CBC to update its coverage to include the complete statements, patient consents and program data that the health practitioner provided to Leo before publication.
Goodenowe added that his case would “vigorously defend against falsehoods” and “restore public confidence in accurate reporting about innovative health research.”
Goodenowe has a community health centre in the Town ‘n’ Country Mall, the Prodrome Health Centre at 1350 Lakeview Road, and three other venues under construction. All are supporting The Moose Jaw Vitality Project (MVP), which offers patients no-cost access to modern restorative health services and advanced health-monitoring technology.
Meanwhile, Goodenowe is hosting an in-person and online community health summit on Saturday, Aug. 16.
