Corporate control of public sphere

It has often been called the heart of public relations: but the third party technique is simple – it is putting your words in someone else’s mouth. The oil industry are past masters of the technique – whether setting up front groups to fight climate change – like the Global Climate Coalition – or being involved in more generic ones, such as Citizens for a Sound Economy.

Tim O’Connor, a senior attorney at the Environmental Defense Fund expressed surprise at the number of front groups being used. “I don’t think anybody knew how cross-jurisdictional, cross-border, and extensive their investment is in creating a false consumer backlash against [climate legislation].” In California, O’Connor added “we have 70 percent voter approval on clean energy alternatives, so it’s offensive and atrocious they’re using these supposed everyday citizens—who are really paid advertisers—to change the public discourse.”

Meanwhile the WSPA is smarting that its powerpoint has been leaked, and has attacked a “handful of gullible news reporters” for revealing “WSPA’s secret formula for world domination.” Whilst that is a slight over-reaction, what it does show is that it’s a continuation of the same strategy the industry has used for years to delay action on climate change.