Using plagiarism-detection software, a study examined 1,768 press releases about climate change published between 1985 and 2013 and compared them with 34,948 newspaper articles about climate change published in mainstream newspapers between 1985 and 2014, and found that press releases opposing action to address climate change were approximately twice as likely to be cited in news articles than press releases advocating for action; furthermore, press releases from organizations providing scientific and technical services were less likely to receive news coverage than other types of organizations, whereas press releases from large businesses and business coalitions were particularly likely to receive coverage.
Article # 19-21526: "In climate news, statements from large businesses and opponents of climate action receive heightened visibility," by Rachel Wetts.
MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Wetts, Brown University, Providence, RI; tel: 949-302-9326; e-mail: rachel_wetts@brown.edu
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences