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Greenpeace and the online genetically modified food debate in the UK: The role of science and scientific evidence in ‘environmental representation’

Price, Catherine

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Abstract

This article investigates Greenpeace’s use of science in ‘environmental representation’ in news articles concerning genetically modified food, and how commenters respond in the associated below the line comments. This article provides an answer through a qualitative data analysis using a discourse analysis of data from 5 UK news organisations, commencing 1 January 2015 until 31 December 2015. The findings reveal the importance of science and scientific evidence in claims-making and ‘environmental representation’ by Greenpeace in relation to genetically modified foods in news articles. However, below the line commenters reject the idea of scientific evidence being used by Greenpeace. Instead, these commenters claim Greenpeace oppose scientific developments. The article concludes by discussing how this study adds to the understanding of claims-making and ‘environmental representation’ by Greenpeace with respect to genetically modified foods in news articles, and how the below the line commenters challenge the legitimacy of Greenpeace as an ‘environmental representative’.

Citation

Price, C. (2023). Greenpeace and the online genetically modified food debate in the UK: The role of science and scientific evidence in ‘environmental representation’. Public Understanding of Science, 32(4), 410–427. https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625221138765

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 25, 2022
Online Publication Date Dec 15, 2022
Publication Date 2023-05
Deposit Date Dec 21, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Public Understanding of Science
Print ISSN 0963-6625
Electronic ISSN 1361-6609
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 32
Issue 4
Pages 410–427
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625221138765
Keywords claims-making, environmental representation, GM food, Greenpeace, news media, scientific evidence
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/15166360
Publisher URL https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09636625221138765

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