Heard a compelling interview on the Bob Edwards Show last week on XM Radio.  He was talking to the two authors of a new book called “Merchants of Doubt: How a handful of scientists obscured the truth on issues from tobacco to global warning”  My attention was immediately captured when authors Naomi Oreski and Erik M. Conway mentioned that the “experts” who are challenging the existence of global warming are the same small band of scientists who claimed second hand smoke from cigarettes was not a serious health problem. In doing the research, they followed the money trail.  Oreski and Conway disclose how a small group of world class scientists developed a very cynical political strategy of casting doubt on solid scientific research in an effort to avoid government intervention and regulation on everything from chemicals, cigarettes, and CO2 emissions.  It’s a fascinating and disturbing expose.

What also caught my attention was their statements about how the media does not do a good job of vetting these “experts,” most of whom are paid by or have their “research” funded by companies who want a desired outcome.  Because journalism and journalists are under dire economic pressure, we as citizens need to become much more media literate, looking beyond the headlines, doing more digging when we see or read controversial stories in the media.  Who are the talking heads out there making pronouncements about what is going on?  Who pays for their opinion or expertise?

I had my own brush with a similar situation.  Someone I met at a networking event a few years ago asked if I would  help them prepare for a series of presentations.  Turns out a large corporation had hired this person to go out into regional communities as an “expert” and persuade audiences on the company line, to avoid restrictive regulations by local governments.  I was fortunate the person didn’t ask me again and I didn’t have to turn them down as a client.  At the time, I remember clearly wondering how this smart accomplished person would consider being a spokesperson in such an unethical way by not disclosing their relationship to the company.

It used to be that the media was our watchdog on these types of stories.  I think the watchdog needs a watchdog and it has always been us!!!

The book is available everywhere. Here’s a link to it at Amazon where you can also see a short video with co-author Naomi Oreskes.