Corporate Social Responsibility

Greenwash Hoaxes

by Diane Farsetta — December 6, 2007 - 5:56pm

In January 2008, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will "examine carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates that claim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in one place to offset emissions elsewhere." It's part one of the agency's review of "green" marketing guidelines. The review was initially slated for 2009, but is being moved up due to the rapid increase in marketing things like carbon offset programs, a "$55 million market that is largely unregulated." A legal staffer for the U.S.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, November 27, 2007

Green but Not Proud of It

by Judith Siers-Poisson — December 6, 2007 - 4:52pm

It doesn't pay to be green if you're a retailer, at least according to the Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at research firm NPD Group.

Main Source: 
Bulldog Reporter's Daily Dog, November 30, 2007

Olympic Sponsors Go for the Green (Forget Darfur and Tibet)

by Diane Farsetta — November 16, 2007 - 5:46pm

Human rights, environmental, health and labor campaigns around the Beijing 2008 Olympics that seek to change China's behavior are increasingly targeting Olympic sponsors.

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), November 15, 2007

Fire-Safe Cigarette Laws Don't Light Any Fires Under Tobacco Companies

by Anne Landman — November 8, 2007 - 3:35pm

Most people don't know it, but cigarettes sold in some states are now more dangerous than ones sold in other states. Deaths and damage from cigarette-caused fires have motivated New York, Vermont, California and other states to enact laws in recent years requiring that only fire-safe cigarettes be sold in their states.

Main Source: 
Baltimore Sun, October 11, 2007

McDeaths

by Bob Burton — October 10, 2007 - 6:41am
  • Topics: Food Safety, Crisis Management, Cause-Related Marketing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Journalism, Corporations, Ethics, Health, International, Lobbying, Public Relations, Secrecy

    • An extract from Bob Burton's Inside Spin: The Dark Underbelly of the PR Industry.

    Brian Page, a 42-year-old railway worker, had been busy before Easter 1992 buying furniture for a house he had just moved into at Mt Pritchard, a south-western Sydney suburb. On their way home, his daughter Melissa wanted to stop at McDonald's in Fairfield for lunch. Shortly after returning home, Brian Page began vomiting and had diarrhoea. As Page's symptoms were initially indistinguishable from a bout of the flu, his doctor gave him a medical certificate and sent him home. Page took to bed for the next three days but on the fourth day went back to work, even though he wasn't feeling well. His boss noticed that Page was unable to write properly and seemed disoriented and confused by his work. He was so concerned about Page that he called a taxi and sent him home, but by then Page recognised something was seriously wrong and went straight to Liverpool Hospital. What was unknown to Page and his doctor was that he had been exposed to Legionella bacteria. If detected early, Legionnaires disease can be treated with antibiotics. Untreated, it can be a killer. Two days after being admitted to the intensive care unit of Liverpool Hospital, Page died. On what would have been his 43rd birthday, more than 100 family and friends attended his funeral.14

    Indonesia, Will You Be Mine?

    by Diane Farsetta — September 17, 2007 - 2:50pm

    David Case reports on Rick Ness, an employee of the Colorado-based Newmont Mining Corporation who the Indonesian government has accused of dumping dangerous waste into a shallow bay in Sulawesi.

    Main Source: 
    Mother Jones, September 10, 2007

    Featured Participatory Project: Eli Lilly's Contributions to Patient and Other Groups

    by Bob Burton — September 11, 2007 - 10:57pm

    In May of this year, the drug company Eli Lilly announced that it would post details of "all educational grant funding and other monetary contributions provided to U.S.-based organizations" into an online database. Tucked away amongst the numerous grants made in the first six months of 2007 are details of funds provided to patient groups, various research centres and a sprinkling of political groups.

    Main Source: 
    SourceWatch Project on Eli Lilly's Contributions

    Did Marlboro Man Edit Wikipedia?

    by Bob Burton — September 5, 2007 - 1:23pm
  • Topics: Citizen Journalism, Internet, Corporate Social Responsibility, Issue Management, Health, Public Relations, Tobacco

    • Philip Morris (PM) has long been a past master at funding front groups and organizing scientists to deny the obvious. Now it is apparent that someone at PM tried puffing the entry in Wikipedia on the Marlboro cigarette.

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