A few months ago, we delivered a commentary on transparency in the hydraulic fracturing, “fracking,” controversy. We came down hard on Ed Rendell, the former governor of Pennsylvania, and his undisclosed role shilling for an energy company with hydrofracking/natural gas interests and the public’s right to know the truths, untruths, paid content and paid consultants. Many of our colleagues would agree the issue is a perfect case study in media relations, public relations, corporate reputation management and social responsibility. We believed then, as we do now, it is much more than how you spin, spit out and savor the message. It is an issue that shakes the ethics of our profession and stirs the core of our passions: public safety, the environment and a healthy economy.
Since our earlier post, as several states issue drilling bans and moratoriums or, to the contrary, launch repeals and rejections of drilling bans and moratoriums; there’s been a fracking-related explosion in West Virginia, a fracking-related spill in Michigan and the national premiere of Gasland II, a follow-up to Josh Fox’s Oscar-nominated documentary Gasland.
Today we’re making our own headlines and asking you to embark on a journey of an unfiltered study of hydraulic fracturing. Whether or not you stand on the side of economic and energy benefits or the side of environmental and health detriments, it is too important an issue to be shrouded in the mystery of paid undercover influence peddlers, industry strong-arm tactics and/or non-disclosures.
We’ve selected a few video clips and online articles to get you started:
Online articles:
A Conversation about Fracking via the Huffington Post
Fracking Pros and Cons via The Huffington Post
Hydraulic Fracturing Pros and Cons via Quora Community
NYTimes Op/Ed: The Facts on Fracking by Susan Brantley and Anna Meyendorff
Big Green Fracking Machine via Public Accountability Initiative
PAC’s Email Spreads Energy Conspiracy Theory via FactCheck.org
Fracking Debate via US News and World Report
Fracking Gag Order Imposed on Two PA Children via MSN
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