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Climate change denier Rupert Murdoch just
bought National Geographic.
Tell
National Geographic to appoint a Public Editor so
it keeps its editorial
independence. |
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Helen,
Climate change denier Rupert Murdoch just bought
National Geographic.
You read that right: one of the world’s most
notorious climate change deniers, whose Fox media
empire spreads misinformation on a massive scale, just got
control of National Geographic.
The National Geographic Society does incredibly important
work on climate change -- from publishing groundbreaking
stories to giving grants to scientists. But the new
deal hands 73% ownership of its media operations to
Fox.
We may not be able to stop the deal from going through,
but together with our allies at ClimateTruth.org
we can stop Murdoch from meddling if we put enough pressure on
the board. Top publications enforce editorial
independence by appointing Public Editors who represent the
public and investigate complaints of editorial
interference.
Will
you tell National Geographic to appoint a Public
Editor?
The $725 million deal marks the end of 127 years of
nonprofit science journalism for National Geographic.
The deal includes its magazines, maps, books, TV channels,
digital media platforms, and a whole lot else.
The new Fox-controlled company, National Geographic
Partners, will be run for-profit, and it will answer to
Murdoch’s shareholders -- via its board.
Fox CEO James Murdoch has said that he has no interest in
the editorial affairs at Nat Geo, but his father Rupert has a
well-documented history of editorial meddling.
From interfering in elections to hacking the phones of
murdered teenage girls, Rupert Murdoch’s media empire has
shown time and again that it will do anything for profit and
power. But his most dangerous legacy by far will be
his scientific illiteracy -- and his quest to ensure
that human-caused global warming is dismissed as a conspiracy.
Just two weeks ago he called climate change concerns “endless
alarmist nonsense” and last week, he blamed “extreme greenies”
for hindering economic growth.
National Geographic is a well-respected and global
retail brand -- meaning it will take notice if we speak up.
But our voices need to be as loud as possible if we
want to be heard.
SumOfUs members have been crucial in keeping the media
accountable. Last year, after thousands of us came together
and spoke out, we got one of the most widely read newspapers
in the UK to withdraw an offensive, sexist ad that offered up
a topless woman as a raffle prize.
Now, let’s stop Murdoch from ruining National
Geographic’s objectivity and excellent environmental
reporting.
National
Geographic: appoint a Public Editor now.
Thanks for all that you do,
Taren and the rest of the SumOfUs team
More information:
National
Geographic gives Fox control of media assets in $725 million
deal, The Washington Post, 9 September 2015
National
Geographic fans worry about partnership with climate change
skeptic Rupert Murdoch, The Washington Post, 10 September
2015
Statement
from National Geographic Society regarding Murdoch
purchase, 30 September 2015
SumOfUs is a worldwide movement of people like you,
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