Animal Rights

Greenwashing Zoos

by Bob Burton — June 20, 2007 - 3:36am

David Hancocks, a former director and architect of zoos in the United States and Australia, is skeptical of the conservation benefits often claimed by zoos. While many zoos tout breeding as a success story, Hancocks sees it as "merely basic zoo business: zoos must breed their animals to preserve their collections. Hardly any animals born in zoos are introduced to the wild." Despite this, he wrote in an opinion column, "They nonetheless loudly position themselves as leaders in wildlife conservation.

Main Source: 
Sydney Morning Herald, June 20, 2007

Young, Reliable "Activists" Outed as Corporate Spooks

by Bob Burton — May 28, 2007 - 7:38am

A private investigation company, Thompson & Clark Investigations, employed agents to infiltrate environmental, peace and animal rights groups in New Zealand, investigative journalist Nicky Hager has revealed.

Main Source: 
Sunday Star Times (New Zealand), May 27, 2007

Malaysian Palm Oil Producers Plan PR Blitz

by Bob Burton — November 17, 2006 - 12:00am

Source: Orangutan Foundation

The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), a lobby group whose members dominate the global trade in oil produced from palm oil plantations, is looking to launch a PR blitz in the U.K. to overcome criticism from environmentalists.

Main Source: 
PR Week (sub req'd), November 15, 2006

No Space for Reality Ads

by Bob Burton — October 30, 2006 - 2:48pm

Animals Australia advertisement

Plans by the non-profit group, Animals Australia, to run full colour advertisements in major magazines highlighting cruelty to factory-farmed pigs received a setback when several publications refused to accept the ads.

Main Source: 
Sydney Morning Herald, October 28, 2006

GolinHarris Aims To 'Leverage and Deflect' Activists

by Bob Burton — September 19, 2006 - 5:19am

Global PR firm GolinHarris has unveiled a range of new "practices and products," including one it has dubbed "Engage: Activist Issues Management." The firm explains, "In response to the growing influence of NGOs, GolinHarris has formalized its approach to leverage and deflect the influence of activists on issues ranging from the environment to animal welfare." In

Main Source: 
GolinHarris media release, September 12, 2006

Stepping Up the Attack on Green Activists

by Sheldon Rampton — October 3, 2005 - 12:05pm

"A remorseless rapist in Hamilton County, Ohio is sentenced to 15 years in prison for beating and raping a 57-year-old woman," writes Kelly Hearn. "An environmental activist in California is sentenced to 22 years and 8 months for burning three SUVs at a car dealership after taking precautions to harm no lives.

Main Source: 
AlterNet, September 30, 2005

KFC Tries Silencing More Than The Chickens

by Bob Burton — May 6, 2005 - 1:46am

Two members of the animal welfare committee of Yum Brands Inc, KFC's parent company, resigned after being asked to sign a confidentiality agreement which would have required them to refer all media inquiries to KFC's corporate headquarters. Over the last three years Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University and Dr. Ian Duncan of the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, have advised KFC on improving animal welfare standards. Both objected to the proposed agreement as amounting to censorship.

Main Source: 
Reuters, May 6, 2005

Terrorist or Activist?

by Diane Farsetta — March 4, 2005 - 1:48pm

"Under the draconian conditions of the USA Patriot Act," reports the Guardian, "the FBI can use covert surveillance of 'terrorists' without the necessity of getting a judicial warrant." Last year, the FBI identified "animal rights extremists and eco-terrorism" as "a domestic terrorism investigative priority," concerning even mainstream environmental groups.

Main Source: 
Guardian, March 2, 2005

Industry Warned of Activist Threat

by Laura Miller — June 20, 2004 - 11:00pm

"One of the most compelling speakers at the recent Biotechnology Industry Organization conference ... wasn't a researcher or a venture capitalist, but a representative of a special agency with the FBI," Paul Holmes writes for PR Week.

Main Source: 
PR Week, June 21, 2004

Eco-Terrorism Is as Eco-Terrorism Does

by Diane Farsetta — May 28, 2004 - 11:00pm

"The War on Terrorism has come home," warns Will Potter. "FBI agents rounded up seven American political activists ... and the U.S.

Main Source: 
Counterpunch, May 29, 2004
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