Episode 76: Drilled News & The Mad Men of Climate Denial
Mar 5, 2020
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In a compelling discussion, journalist Amy Westervelt, Editor-in-Chief of Drilled News, reveals the shocking history behind fossil fuel public relations. She explores the devious tactics used for decades to mislead the public about climate change, drawing parallels with strategies employed by the tobacco industry. Westervelt also discusses how the manipulation of language and the rise of faux grassroots movements have distorted public perception. This conversation emphasizes the urgent need for critical thinking in combating climate misinformation.
The podcast reveals how fossil fuel companies have manipulated public perception for over a century through deceptive PR campaigns and misinformation.
Drilled News serves as a crucial platform for climate accountability reporting, addressing gaps in mainstream media coverage and fostering informed discussions on climate issues.
Deep dives
Historical Context of Fossil Fuel PR Tactics
Fossil fuel companies have employed public relations strategies for over a century, often using deceptive tactics to shape public perception. The podcast highlights the extensive history of fossil fuel PR campaigns, examining how these campaigns promoted misinformation about climate change while framing fossil fuel industries as integral to American identity. Specific examples include campaigns run by major companies that implied environmental regulations threaten livelihoods, which has led to widespread public support for continued fossil fuel operations. This manipulation has been so effective that it has ingrained these ideas deeply into American society, even among those advocating for climate action.
The Birth of Climate Accountability Reporting
Drilled News was created as a central hub for climate accountability reporting, addressing the gaps left by mainstream media. The website serves as a resource for those interested in understanding the systemic barriers to climate action, compiling investigative stories and unique insights into the fossil fuel industry's influence. The intention is to provide comprehensive resources for climate accountability reporting, showcasing both new developments and historical contexts that have shaped current narratives. This platform allows journalists to explore different angles on climate change, including the intersection of climate issues with social justice, thereby fostering more informed discussions.
The Tactics of Manipulation and Language
Language manipulation plays a critical role in shaping public attitudes toward climate change, as illustrated by figures like Ivy Lee, who pioneered the use of strategic language in PR. Lee's influence demonstrated how reframing issues could sway public perception, such as presenting safety requirements as burdensome fees to avoid regulatory scrutiny. This approach has evolved over time, with terminology surrounding climate change being deliberately manipulated to downplay its severity. For instance, the shift from 'global warming' to 'climate change' was a calculated move that created ambiguity, allowing opponents to diminish the urgency of the climate crisis.
The Interplay Between Industry and Media
The podcast reveals the intricate relationship between the fossil fuel industry and the media, illustrating how the industry has learned to leverage media tactics to its advantage. By promoting disinformation and creating doubt, fossil fuel companies have managed to undermine the media's credibility while simultaneously using it to disseminate their messaging. This manipulation reflects a broader trend where industries, learning from past tactics, now create fake grassroots movements and engage in astroturfing to influence public opinion. This strategic use of media has not only reinforced industry narratives but has also led to a widespread skepticism about media reports on climate issues.
In this latest episode of Across The Margin: The Podcast, host Michael Shields sits down for an eye-opening interview with journalist and podcast host Amy Westervelt. Amy is the Editor-in-Chief of Drilled News, a Climate accountability website that investigates various drivers of delay on Climate action. Amy is also the host of the Drilled podcast that is one of the few narrative podcasts about Climate Change. Season 1 of Drilled focused on the Climate research conducted by oil companies examining when and how they shifted from studying the problem to denying it. Season 2 followed a community of crab fishermen as they became the first industry to sue Big Oil. Season 3, which is the main focus of this episode, chronicles the 100-year history of fossil fuel public relations campaigns and ties them to the propaganda we still see today.
In this episode Michael and Amy dissect the nefarious tactics employed for decades by fossil fuel propagandists, specifics about the spin masters behind these methods, the unique symbiotic relationship between Big Tobacco and fossil fuel companies, and much, much more. You are not going to want to miss this episode, one that exposes plainly how the fossil fuel industry knew for years that they were destroying the planet, yet chose to value profit over human life, and took extreme measures to cover it all up.