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| Same ol' GM propaganda |  | ||
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Came across the below in a totally different context, but here it is anyway. I think it dates about 1998. I'm sure the parallels are obvious. European genetic engineering industry (EuropaBio) has engaged the globally active public relations agency, Burson-Marsteller (B-M) to bring about public acceptance of genetically modified foods and support for genetic engineering in Europe. A Burson-Marsteller internal strategy document that reached the public via Greenpeace, 3 lists four principles as to how the public's attitude to (Genetically Modified) GM foods should be manipulated in favour of the Genetic Engineering (GE) lobby: Stay off the killing fields: Any contentious issues (killing fields) to do with the industry should be avoided. So called 'risk discussions' for instance on ecological or health dangers of GE should not be entered into. Create positive perceptions: The positive and beneficial characteristics of GM products should be put to the media, e.g. ecological advantages or the creation of jobs. Discussion should centre on the benefits of the product, not the technology itself. 'Producing positive perception' of course depends on appropriate use of the language. Thus the following GE vocabulary is recommended: instead of 'cloning', 'propagating identical offspring'; instead of 'genetically manipulated', 'genetically modified'; instead of 'genetic engineering', 'biotechnology'. Following this linguistic strategy 'harvests are secured with care for the environment' by genetic engineering, 'cultivable areas are extended' and 'unfavourable localities are made useful'. It is better to call experts 'specialists', and corporations sound friendlier as 'enterprises'. Fight fire with fire: This means that the actual battle is conducted at the emotional level. Critics of GE should be discredited by showing that their rejection of it can be traced to the purely emotional level, for instance to fear. Instead, positive feelings like hope, care and optimism should be evoked in connection with GE. To achieve this powerful symbols will be used because they speak not to logic but to people's feelings. Create service-based media relations: B-M is developing the following strategy for its customer EuropaBio: 'EuropaBio must turn itself into the best and most reliable source of biotechnology/bioindustries inspiration and information -- the first-stop help-desk where they get not industry propaganda but practical editor-pleasing, deadline-beating connect to interesting stories and personalities -- even adversarial -- relevant to their readerships.' Through such a media service the press should be supplied with purposeful information, above all 'good stories, stories - not issues'. Neither trade nor industry should publish their own statements on GE but let them all pass through the media service. This amounts to a monopoly of information. The above is from a clumsily translated article,(www.ifgene,org) and the author closes with this comment about the mighty propaganda factories and how to survive them: It is a massive undertaking involving subtly-working, but in the last analysis, primitive means of deception. But with consistent cultivation of one's senses through both devoted responsibility for the word and the power of clear thinking it can be disarmed wherever it is encountered. I like the phrase "Subtly-working, but in the last analysis primitive means of deception" It gave me hope. But a glance at the Burson-Marsteller website ("A Burson Person!" Love to all awake beings Bryn |
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soon took it away again.