Andy Russell on the Merchants of Doubt
Dr Andy Russell of the Institute for the Environment at Brunel University has an interesting review of Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M Conway. Russell sums up the book:
“Excellent examination of the background and tactics used by “experts” to delay the implementation of regulation on important scientific issues. Journalists in particular should have a read but I’d think it would be interesting and comprehensible to anyone.”
Dr Russell draws out some important points from the book; in particular the issue of journalistic balance:
“One theme that crops up over and over again is the insistence from the “doubt merchants” that they deserve equal time in media debates and discussions. This is really important and, I think, shows that this book should be required reading for journalists working on controversially perceived subjects. Because, as we see time and time again in the book, the controversy is often not based on the science.
“I agree that there should be a responsibility placed on the media to be unbiased but, equally, journalists shouldn’t be pressured into presenting a debate as ongoing and/or equal simply because they have not researched the topic.”
Russell also links the themes of the book in with the idea of sustainability and the requirement to address the three spheres of economics, society and environment. He suggests that as some radical environmentalists are willing to sacrifice the economy for the sake of environment, so the key figures in the book are ready to sacrifice the environment for the sake of the free market.
Dr Russell also produced this neat time line, mapping the book’s documenting of the PR campaigns against science documented in the book… (click to enlarge).
