Fighting fake news and lazy reporting about the leather industry

Fighting fake news and lazy reporting about the leather industry

International Leather Maker reports on an alarming trend in mainstream media outlets regarding inaccurate and defamatory journalism when it concerns the leather and meat industry. Several publications in recent weeks have prompted public responses from leading industry institutions and have even led to legal steps.

Though the term ‘fake news’ is used often as a political means to discredit the opposition, the number of factually incorrect publications mentioned about the leather industry is cause for concern. From incorrect quotations, uncorroborated statements and the use of a particularly unflattering choice of imagery, the list is showing a consistent media bias against the industry. Not only does this approach damage journalistic integrity, it also discredits and hurts the entire leather industry, which has been working hard on its transparency, environmental stewardship and animal welfare standards

But International Leather Maker looks deeper into the matter of this media bias and the motivation behind it and implies that various driving forces are behind the ongoing attack on leather and meat manufacturers. What is most vexing to the leather industry is the fact that it’s not given a fair hearing by the media outlets. The leather manufacturers hardly have a chance to comment or add to the media communication. When journalists forego the principle audi alteram partem, the suggestion that we are facing lazy reporting and indeed, fake news, is not quite far from the mark. 

Read the entire article HERE.