"Merchants of Doubt" is a 2014 documentary film directed by Robert Kenner. It is based on the 2010 book of the same name by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway. The film explores how a group of high-profile scientists with extensive political connections ran campaigns to mislead the public and deny well-established scientific knowledge over several decades.
**Title in English:** Merchants of Doubt
**Title in German:** Händler des Zweifels
**Release Year:** 2014
**Production Company:** Participant Media, Omidyar Network
**Distribution Company:** Sony Pictures Classics
**Featured Individuals:**
- Naomi Oreskes (Historian of science)
- Erik M. Conway (Historian and co-author of the book)
- Various scientists, activists, and political figures
**Director:** Robert Kenner
**Synopsis
"Merchants of Doubt," directed by Robert Kenner, is a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the dark world of pseudo-scientific propaganda. Inspired by the book of the same name by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway, the film exposes how some scientists obscured the truth on issues from tobacco smoke to global warming for the sake of corporate profit and political gain.
The documentary begins by drawing parallels between the tobacco industry’s denial of the harmful effects of smoking and the current climate change debate. It uncovers how a group of influential scientists with deep political connections used their authority to challenge and distort scientific facts. These individuals, the so-called "merchants of doubt," employed tactics such as spreading misinformation, creating false narratives, and sowing seeds of confusion to undermine public trust in scientific consensus.
Through interviews with scientists, environmental activists, and political figures, "Merchants of Doubit" reveals the intricate web of deceit spun by these individuals. It shows how they manipulated public opinion on critical environmental and health issues for decades, impacting policy decisions and public awareness.
The film is a critical examination of the role of science in society and the vulnerability of scientific integrity in the face of corporate and political interests. It highlights the consequences of letting economic and political agendas dictate public discourse on science, emphasizing the importance of discerning fact from fiction in public policy.
"Merchants of Doubit" is not just an exposé of past deceptions; it's a wake-up call about the ongoing battle for truth in the arena of public opinion and policy. It's a compelling documentary that urges viewers to question the sources of the information they receive and to defend the integrity of science.
Merchants of Doubt, Robert Kenner, Naomi Oreskes, Erik M. Conway, documentary, scientific misinformation, climate change denial, tobacco industry, pseudo-science, political manipulation, environmental activism, public opinion, science and politics, corporate influence, global warming, science communication, misinformation campaigns, environmental policy, scientific integrity, public health deception.
