AP’s climate coverage is influenced by left-wing funding, evident in their reporting
The AP’s Climate Coverage: More Than Just Reporting?
The Associated Press claims that its reporting on climate change is not influenced by the money it receives from left-wing groups. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the AP’s climate coverage bears a striking resemblance to left-wing activism.
Last week, the Washington Free Beacon revealed that in 2022, the AP accepted a $300,000 donation from the KR Foundation, a Danish nonprofit dedicated to phasing out fossil fuels and transforming journalists into climate change activists. The foundation also seeks to pressure U.S. banks to divest from fossil fuels and halt new oil and gas projects.
Furthermore, major charities like the Hewlett Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation have been funding the AP’s “sweeping climate journalism initiative,” which aims to incorporate climate coverage into all aspects of the news report.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the AP’s reporting.
In 2023, the AP showcased photos that it claimed captured the “intensity, insecurity, and inequality” of climate change, emphasizing that numbers alone cannot convey the true experience of climate change.
The impact of #ClimateChange-induced disasters in 2023 can be tallied with numbers, but numbers fail to encapsulate the lived experience of climate change.
See the @AP photos from 2023 that tell the story of a changing world. https://t.co/9iBJiNwBLK
— SEI Climate (@SEIclimate) January 7, 2024
(According to climate scientist Bjorn Lomborg, data shows that annual deaths related to climate-related disasters have actually decreased by 98 percent over the past century.)
In November, the AP published an article titled “How Did Humans Get to the Brink of Crashing Climate?” which quoted experts suggesting that concepts like civilizational growth and productivity stem from white people’s historic feelings of racial and cultural superiority. The report proposed eliminating fossil fuels as part of radical shifts away from traditional ideas of progress, claiming that historians agree this can lead to a better future.
From Mexico City’s drained lake to Britain’s coal-powered industrial rise, our history of altering the environment for ‘progress’ has led us to the brink of a #climatecrisis. It’s time to rethink our approach to nature and energy.
Read more⤵️https://t.co/buH7l8EPEH
— The New York Climate Exchange (@NYClimEx) November 28, 2023
(Experts also acknowledge that energy from oil and gas has enabled modern luxuries, including liberal democracy.)
The AP consistently provides sympathetic coverage of disruptive climate protests worldwide.
For example, the AP recently highlighted a climate rally in Brussels, cautioning readers not to dismiss it as merely “boisterous,” as the protesters had a “serious” message: “Act now to stop the world from destroying itself.”
In September, when 20 climate protesters were arrested for blocking traffic in Boston, the AP emphasized that commuters were only briefly inconvenienced. The report extensively quoted the activists’ demands, explaining the link between carbon dioxide emissions and climate change.
Days later, the AP glorified climate protesters in the Netherlands who illegally blocked a highway and had to be dispersed by police with water cannons. The article described the protesters’ reactions, suggesting they were enjoying the water spray on an unusually hot September day.
In its critical reporting on the energy industry, the AP often excludes the perspectives of companies themselves, instead favoring quotes from Democratic government officials and climate activists. Even in articles about increasing methane emissions, the AP primarily relies on a professor who advocates for naming climate-related disasters after polluters and their enablers.
Interestingly, the AP is keenly aware of how oil and gas companies influence the conversation surrounding climate policy. In a November analysis, the news agency warned of the significant presence of “fossil fuel interests” at climate talks.
When questioned about the influence of monetary interests on its climate coverage, the AP assured the Free Beacon that no outside group has any sway over its journalism.
How has financial support from left-wing groups impacted the Associated Press (AP)’s coverage of climate change?
The Associated Press (AP), one of the world’s leading news organizations, has long prided itself on its objective and unbiased reporting. However, recent revelations have raised questions about the extent to which the AP’s coverage of climate change is influenced by financial support from left-wing groups.
In 2022, the AP accepted a $300,000 donation from the KR Foundation, a Danish nonprofit dedicated to phasing out fossil fuels and transforming journalists into climate change activists. The foundation’s mission includes pressuring U.S. banks to divest from fossil fuels and halt new oil and gas projects. This significant financial contribution suggests that the AP’s climate coverage may not be as impartial as it claims to be.
Furthermore, major charities such as the Hewlett Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation have been funding the AP’s “sweeping climate journalism initiative.” This initiative aims to incorporate climate coverage into all aspects of the news report. While it is essential to ensure comprehensive reporting on important issues like climate change, the significant funding from these foundations raises concerns about potential bias in the AP’s coverage.
Let us examine some of the AP’s reporting on climate change. In 2023, the AP showcased photos that aimed to capture the ”intensity, insecurity, and inequality” of climate change. The AP emphasized that numbers alone cannot convey the true experience of climate change. While this approach may be valid in highlighting the human aspects of climate change, it also runs the risk of straying into emotional and subjective territory, potentially compromising the objective nature of news reporting.
It is crucial to note that climate scientist Bjorn Lomborg has pointed out that data shows annual deaths related to climate-related disasters have actually decreased by 98 percent over the past century. This counterpoint illustrates the importance of presenting a balanced perspective in climate reporting, accounting for both the challenges and progress made in addressing climate change.
In November, the AP published an article titled “How Did Humans Get to the Brink of Crashing Climate?” This article quoted experts suggesting that concepts like civilizational growth and productivity stem from white people’s historic feelings of racial and cultural superiority. The report proposed eliminating fossil fuels as part of radical shifts away from traditional ideas of progress, claiming that historians agree this can lead to a better future. While it is essential to explore the historical and socio-cultural dimensions of climate change, framing the issue through the lens of racial and cultural superiority may oversimplify a complex global challenge and risk alienating certain groups of readers.
In conclusion, the AP’s claims of impartiality in its climate coverage are brought into question when examining the financial support it receives from left-wing groups. While it is commendable to incorporate comprehensive reporting on climate change, it is vital for news organizations like the AP to ensure that their coverage remains objective, balanced, and avoids straying into activist territory. Upholding the highest journalistic standards is crucial to maintaining public trust in news organizations and fostering informed debate on critical issues like climate change.
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