Propaganda: information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view
Just four corporations now control more than 60% of the global supply of seeds and pesticides. Public oversight of their activities is crucial for a safe and healthy food supply. Yet all of these companies – Monsanto/Bayer, DowDuPont, Syngenta/ChemChina and BASF – have documented histories of hiding the health risks and environmental impacts of their products. Since their records do not inspire trust, they rely on third-party allies to promote and defend their products.
The public has a right to know about the groups and people who work with industry to push industry agendas. U.S. Right to Know has uncovered many documents that shine light on how corporations work behind the scenes with professors, journalists, regulators and front groups to promote genetically engineered foods and pesticides, and to keep those products unregulated. The following fact sheets provide more information:
Glyphosate Spin Check: Tracking claims about the most-widely used herbicide
Academics Review: The Making of a Monsanto Front Group
AgBioChatter: Where Corporations, Academics Plotted Strategy on GMOs, Pesticides
Alison Van Eenennaam: Key Outside Spokesperson and Lobbyist for the Agrichemical and GMO Industries
American Council on Science and Health is a Corporate Front Group
Bayer’s Shady PR Firms: FleishmanHillard and Ketchum PR
Biofortified Aids Chemical Industry PR & Lobbying Efforts
Center for Food Integrity Partners with Monsanto
Cornell Alliance for Science is a PR Campaign for the Agrichemical Industry Agenda
Drew Kershen: Agrichemical Industry Front Group Ringleader
Food Evolution GMO Documentary is a Propaganda Film
Geoffrey Kabat: Ties to Tobacco and Chemical Industry Groups
GMO Answers is a Crisis Management PR Tool for GMOs & Pesticides
Hank Campbell’s Maze of Monsanto-Loving Science Blogs
Henry I. Miller Dropped by Forbes for Monsanto Ghostwriting Scandal
Independent Women’s Forum: Koch-Funded Group Defends Pesticide, Oil, Tobacco Industries
International Food Information Council: How Big Food Spins Bad News
Jay Byrne: Meet the Man Behind the Monsanto PR Machine
Jon Entine, Genetic Literacy Project: Key Messengers for Monsanto, Bayer and the Chemical Industry
Keith Kloor: The Agrichemical Industry’s Favorite Writer
Kevin Folta’s Misleading and Deceptive Claims
Mark Lynas Promotes the Agrichemical Industry’s Commercial Agenda
Monsanto named these “industry partners” in 2015 PR Plan to Confront Glyphosate Cancer Ruling
Pamela Ronald’s ties to chemical industry front groups
SciBabe Says Eat Your Pesticides. But Who is Paying Her?
Science Media Centre Promotes Corporate Views of Science
Sense About Science/STATS Spin Science for Industry
Tamar Haspel Misleads Readers of the Washington Post
Val Giddings: Top Operative for the Agrichemical Industry
More fact sheets about key front groups, trade groups and PR writers:
BIO: biotech industry trade group
International Life Sciences Institute
International Dairy Association
International Farmers and Ranchers Alliance
Science fact sheets:
Aspartame: Decades of Science Point to Serious Health Risks
Aspartame Tied to Weight Gain, Increased Appetite, Obesity
Glyphosate: Health Concerns About Most Widely Used Pesticide
You can learn more about the findings of the U.S. Right to Know investigation here and see here for a list of global news coverage about our top findings. If you like our work, please consider donating here to keep the USRTK investigation cooking.