As a member of this list and having been a science communicator in London, I feel comfortable with being able to weigh up the evidence and draw my own conclusions about SMC, and any other organsiation involved in science communication
I am sure many people on the list have many opinions about all these organisations and their contributions to science communication, some of which are based on the personalities and strategic direction of the organsations' leaders. I think the Psci-com list should be open to discussing these issues occasionally.
After all this stuff is in the public domain already ( wikipedia guardian etc).
Barbara
----- Original Message ----
From: Bob Ward <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, 25 April, 2007 2:01:57 PM
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] The Great Global Warming Swindle
I don't regard challenging Durkin to correct misrepresentations in his
programme before it is distributed on DVD as bullying. I regard it as
standing up for the public interest.
It is a great shame that you have refused to withdraw your slur against
the Science Media Centre. Citing Fiona Fox's alleged past affiliations
is not a substitute for providing the evidence required to back up your
false claim that the Science Media Centre is a "political lobby group".
Both you and Sophia should withdraw your accusations unless you have the
evidence to back them up.
Bob Ward
Director, Global Science Networks
Risk Management Solutions Ltd
Peninsular House
30 Monument Street
London
EC3R 8NB
Tel. +44 (0) 20 7444 7741
Blackberry +44 (0) 7710 333687
www.rms.com
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Francis Sedgemore
Sent: 25 April 2007 13:01
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] The Great Global Warming Swindle
Bob, I did read the letter, and regard it as not only a pointless
exercise, but potentially damaging to the science case for anthropogenic
global warming.
Channel 4 is a commercial entity that makes money for its shareholders.
The TV channel may be bound by a code of conduct when it comes to what
it can broadcast, but Wag TV is free to distribute the DVD, and I'm not
sure how it could be otherwise. While it doesn't give me a warm, fuzzy
feeling inside, neither am I particularly troubled by it.
We are surrounded by wild claims, ideological nonsense,
misrepresentations and even outright lies. But it is not for the state
through its regulatory bodies, or assemblies of the great and good, to
pronounce on what information may or may not be published.
So challenge Durkin, show him to be the dissembler he undoubtedly is.
But win the battle by force of argument. The data are on your side, and
do not require backing up with bullying tactics.
I will not withdraw my statement about the SMC being associated with the
RCP cult. Sophia Collins helpfully provides a link to the Sourcewatch
page on the SMC, but there are many, many other public sources of
information on this and associated organisations.
Fiona Fox was a prolific contributor to the RCP's Living Marxism
magazine and monthly review journal. In December 1995 Fox had published
in LM (under the pseudonym Fiona Foster) an article entitled "Massacring
the truth in Rwanda", which led to outrage in Africa and the west. Even
the Nazi-hunting Wiesenthal Centre entered the fray to denounce Fox.
As for Lloyd Anderson's question about a potential mix-up between Claire
and Fiona Fox, I should point out that the women in question are
sisters, and both used the alias "Foster" when working for the RCP.
In her LM writings, Fiona Fox focused largely on Ireland, and was for a
time head of the Irish Freedom Movement, a front for the RCP that was
vocal in its support for the "armed struggle". The RCP opposed the peace
process from start.
The transformation of Fox into a science pundit is fascinating,
especially given that she has no scientific qualifications. Fox is a
journalism graduate, and her professional background, like that off many
RCP associates, is in political spinning and PR.
If the SMC is more 'moderate' than its sister organisations, that is
down to its association with the Royal Institution, Greenfield, Taverne
et al. Elspeth Bartlet refers to the SMC and GM. Almost all the GM
stories that come out of the SMC are strongly pro-GM. Now I'm critically
pro-GM, but I have to say that much of the pro-GM propaganda published
by certain science and industry lobby groups leaves me cold. George
Monbiot, with whom I seldom agree, was quite right to highlight the
SMC's vicious attacks on GM critics. Politics dressed up with a little
science is a dangerous thing, and is inimical to critical thinking.
The Science Media Centre, Sense about Science and myriad other
associated organisations are political lobby groups, not credible
science outreach initiatives.
Francis
On 25 Apr 07, at 10:37, Bob Ward wrote:
> I don't think it is unreasonable for scientists to object to the
> distribution of inaccurate information. Given that Wag TV are able to
> exploit a loophole in regulations, an appeal to them to act in the
> public interest seems to be the only option open. At the very least,
> hopefully the letter will at least raise awareness of the major
> misrepresentations in the programme.
--
Dr Francis Sedgemore
Freelance journalist and science writer
tlf: +44.7840191336; web: http://skysong.eu
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