A peek behind the curtain
- Details
- Published on Friday, 05 October 2018 11:40
- Written by editor
We've been investigating.
See that stack of paper? That's the 550-page result of a Freedom of Information request our managing editor, Carol Linnitt, filed with the University of Alberta.
Carol was looking deep into the ties between a University of Alberta researcher and one of the province's most influential coal producers, TransAlta.
The results of that rather beefy Freedom of Information request show company executives were not only involved in the funding of coal-friendly research at the university, but that they actively assigned, reviewed and publicized the work of researcher Warren Kindzierski.
Kindzierski has been known for years to produce what he calls 'independent' research that downplays the negative air quality impacts of burning coal and these documents show just how involved coal industry players have been in the creation of that work.
So why did The Narwhal pursue this story?
We're passionate about exposing how corporations influence public conversations. Plus, Carol is an avid believer in the university as a corporate influence-free space.
In addition to her reporting, Carol is doing her PhD at the University of Victoria. So this story was near and dear to her heart.
(Now back to your homework, Carol.)
We have a lot in store for you this week, so please read on!
Emma Gilchrist
Editor-in-Chief, The Narwhal
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