Clearing the PR Pollution that Clouds Climate Science

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You Can't Spin Mother Nature

This is the speech that I delivered last month at the Canadian Public Relations Society's National Conference in Edmonton, Alberta.

Given that it is a fairly direct assault on the manipulative tactics that are, increasingly, giving the public relations industry a bad name, I thought I might receive a defensive reaction from some of my professional colleagues. Instead, what I found, after a quick and convincing standing ovation, was a deep level of concern and tremendous willingness to deal with the issues that I raise in the talk.

Putting aside the political debate over climate change - which continues unabated on its well-funded, but surrealistic trajectory - I am optimistic that in both Canada and the U.S., a significant majority of public relations professionals are determined to trim the spin out of what we do.

 

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Jim Hoggans CPRS keynote address June 14 2007.pdf909.9 KB
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great talk

Really good talk, nice balance between pushing for integrity, showing that some organizations are engaging in pure propoganda, and presenting good science. Thanks for publishing it here.

It's an excellent talk.

It's an excellent talk. I hope it has good results.

About the climate cover-up

About the climate cover-up

Democracy is utterly dependant upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.

There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.

Although all public relations professionals are bound by a duty to not knowingly mislead the public, some have executed comprehensive campaigns of misinformation on behalf of industry clients on issues ranging from tobacco and asbestos to seat belts.

Lately, these fringe players have turned their efforts to creating confusion about climate change. This PR campaign could not be accomplished without the compliance of media as well as the assent and participation of leaders in government and business.

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