Propaganda is becoming more profitable. Not propaganda spewed by world leaders, but "scientific" propaganda promulgated by popular cable TV and social media sites and emerging pay-to-publish technical pseudo-journals.

In the USA, one can generally say, print, record and deliver propaganda without restrictions as long as one operates within our freedom of speech laws. Many have learned that it can be highly profitable to evade accuracy and truth to attract viewers and readers that are gullible.

Recent bona fide assessments of recommendations made by media star Dr. Oz and blog superstar Food Babe illustrate clearly how selling misinformation can be highly profitable. Professional wrestling is also highly profitable, but who really believes it is real? Yet many believe pseudo-science shows and blogs.

Unfortunately, many have not yet come to realize that there is a huge difference between the science delivered by NOVA on Public Broadcasting stations and the pseudoscience delivered by Dr. Oz on cable TV. One is based on real science and technology and the other is focused on profitability, truth be dammed.

Those of us that have worked in scientific careers have all had our scientific studies and manuscripts subjected to rigorous peer-review for decades. We’ve learned to take the blows, conduct more studies, revise and resubmit and focus on finding the truth, even when our manuscript was rejected. This reflects science as it is done according to accepted standards.

Unfortunately that is changing, because electronic science and technical publishers are popping up around the world to serve as outlets for anyone that is willing to pay to have their scientific or technical article published, regardless of its merit. This sets a dangerous precedent because most in our society and too many in the media world have no idea how to distinguish between authentic scientific and technical journals and pay-to-publish propaganda outlets.

So how does one decide what to believe? First, be diligent in where you get your information. There are many good sources. Interested in medical issues? Search PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed and find free, authentic information about the topic. For up-to-date information about health and nutrition, go to Mayo Clinic’s health information site http://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-care-and-health-information. Interested in food and nutrition? Go to USDA’s nutrition site http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=food-nutrition. Interested in genetically engineered products? Go to the FDA site http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodScienceResearch/Biotechnology/. There are many other good sources that provide unbiased information – just be critical in your selection.