ANGA Comments on the State Department’s Inclusion of Untruthful Documentary in Film Program
February 10, 2012
Background: Following is a statement by America's Natural Gas Alliance Vice President for Strategic Communications Dan Whitten on the U.S. State Department's decision to include a misleading, factually inaccurate movie in its film program.
"Just 17 days ago, President Obama, in his State of the Union address, noted our nation's vast discoveries of natural gas and its extraordinary promise to our economic, energy security and environmental interests. In speaking directly to its environmental benefits and substantial job creation, he said, 'development of natural gas will create jobs and power trucks and factories that are cleaner and cheaper, proving that we don't have to choose between our environment and our economy.'"
"So, it was shocking to see that the State Department included Gasland, a widely scientifically discredited movie attacking American natural gas development, around the world as part of its annual showcase of American filmmaking.
"This decision is directly at odds with the State Department's efforts to engage with key nations to help them identify and responsibly develop their own shale gas resources to promote energy security and cleaner energy choices around the globe.
"Through its many misleading and alarmist claims, Gasland actively works to undermine development of this resource by spreading false information and creating unfounded fears. Dramatic scenes, which the filmmaker knew were not associated with natural gas development when he shot and edited the film, have been widely discredited by scientific experts and regulators.
"As Americans, we are proud of the principles of democracy and freedom celebrated by this film program. But we could not object more vigorously to the selection of a film that has been widely scientifically discredited and has done significant damage to a science and fact-based discourse about the risks and benefits of our energy choices as a nation.
"The filmmaker is now using the imprimatur of the State Department to try and add credibility to further his campaign by claiming its endorsement of his film. He also is stating to the press that his film was selected because it offers a "balance" to the State Department's Global Shale Gas Initiative. Countering facts and science with fear-mongering and a disdain for the truth is not the example our nation should be holding up to the world of free and public discourse.
"Showcasing this film around the world directly undermines the President's laudable push for responsible development and science-based decisions about energy and environmental policy. It also undercuts the State Department's own diplomacy efforts. And, it ill-serves the vast promise that shale gas development holds out to our country and the world to create jobs and power economic growth-all while giving us all cleaner air and greater global energy security."
