Front Groups

Pat Boone and Wal-Mart: Ain't That a Shame

by Diane Farsetta — December 22, 2005 - 6:39pm

Working Families for Wal-Mart, a new nonprofit group "partly funded by the Bentonville-based retail giant," has "a mission to support Wal-Mart Stores Inc." and "famously wholesome singer Pat Boone" is a member.

Main Source: 
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, December 22, 2005

Swiftvets Ponder Their Next Mission

by Diane Farsetta — November 24, 2004 - 12:00am

Chris LaCivita, formerly a paid political consultant for the anti-Kerry 527 group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, said the group "is pondering its next step" but "will remain a potent force." LaCavita told The Hill that "one possibility is that the Swiftvets will become a full-time

Main Source: 
The Hill, November 24, 2004

Coalition of the Drilling

by Diane Farsetta — November 16, 2004 - 12:00am

"The [pro-Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling] coalition was industry-driven. That was the exact opposite of how to do it," said Dutko Group lobbyist Stephen Brown.

Main Source: 
The Hill, November 16, 2004

Renewables Defeat Fossils in Colorado

by Anonymous — November 3, 2004 - 6:21pm

While voters in Colorado backed George W. Bush for president, a ballot initiative requiring the state's power utilities to source 3% of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2007 and 10% by 2015 was successful.

Main Source: 
RenewableEnergyAccess.com

Telling the Media to MoveOn

by Diane Farsetta — September 23, 2004 - 11:00pm

U.S. media "gives inordinate attention to fly-by-night groups with little evidence of real support. Why? Because these groups' sensational claims make for entertaining and easily produced news stories. The result is that a Swift Boats Veterans for Truth has greater impact on the national debate than long-established activist organizations," writes the Center for Media and Democracy's Diane Farsetta.

Main Source: 
AlterNet, September 24, 2004

Who's Driving the SUV Owners of America?

by Diane Farsetta — September 12, 2004 - 11:00pm

"It's hard to believe that there isn't an attempt to deceive here," writes PR commentator Paul Holmes, considering the industry group SUV Owners of America's self-description, on its website, as "a nonprofit consumer organization dedicated to supporting the rights and serving the interests of SUV owners," providing a "voice and advocate for SUV owners." But Holmes notes that "its board of directors consists largely of industry reps and

Main Source: 
PR Week (sub. req'd.), September 13, 2004

When Is A Front Group Not A Front Group?

by Laura Miller — September 7, 2004 - 6:40pm

"We have been wrongfully labeled as an auto industry front group," Ron DeFore, communications director for SUV Owners of America, told PR Week. The group is running a campaign opposing proposed regulations in California to limit truck and SUV emissions. Defore is also a principal at Stratacom, a PR firm that counts the auto industry as one of its biggest clients.

Main Source: 
PR Week (sub. req'd.), September 6, 2004

Auto Industry Front Group Opposes California Clean Air Proposal

by Laura Miller — August 25, 2004 - 11:00pm

"A public relations firm with ties to the automobile industry has launched ads suggesting that a proposed California rule to cut carbon dioxide exhaust could cause more people to die in traffic accidents," the Los Angeles Times reports.

Main Source: 
Los Angeles Times, August 26, 2004

Disinfopedia versus Swift Boat Vets and Other Front Groups

by John Stauber — August 24, 2004 - 11:00pm

Last year we launched the Disinfopedia, a "wiki" website designed
to mobilize hundreds of volunteers to help us investigate and expose front
groups and propaganda campaigns. The Disinfopedia is an experiment in
participatory investigative journalism, and the experiment seems to be
succeeding.

Main Source: 
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=swift+boat&btnG=Google+Search
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