Story 1: Hunting, fishing, and science denial
Story 2: Pushing back on lead ammo and fishing tackle misinformation
Environmental Health News investigated hundreds of claims from web pages, documents, and testimony, and found that groups including the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), and the National Rifle Association (NRA) spread misinformation and engage in science denialism most of the time they communicate about lead ammunition or fishing tackle.
The 2-part series reveals:
- Similar to Big Tobacco and climate change denial, groups are using the five categories of denialist techniques— fake experts, cherry picking, impossible expectations, conspiracy theories, and logical fallacies—to keep lead in ammo and fishing tackle.
- Hunting and fishing—including the purchase of ammunition and fishing tackle—are crucial components of U.S. conservation funding, which leaves state wildlife agencies hesitant to address the lead issue.
- Proponents of non-lead alternatives are divided on the path forward, fearful to address misinformation.
The investigation, “Misled on Lead,” was conducted by investigative reporter Samantha Totoni for Environmental Health News.