TONIGHT at 7 on 4: Channel 4 News has learnt the Science Museum has signed a gagging clause, in its agreement with Shell International to sponsor its climate change exhibition, agreeing not to say anything that could damage the company’s reputation.
We obtained sponsorship agreement which states S Museum & trustees agreed not to “make any statement or issue any publicity or otherwise be involved in any conduct or matter that may reasonably be foreseen as discrediting or damaging the goodwill or reputation of the Sponsor.”
The oil giant Shell controversially sponsored the museum's major climate change ‘Our Future Planet’ exhibition which opened in May this year. Full report by @fatimamanji and produced by @NanettevdLaan #c4news 7pm
In emails seen by Channel 4 News, we can also reveal that the Director of the Science Museum, also asked Shell to "champion" the exhibition to The Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (a fossil fuel industry body) in an apparent bid to secure additional funding for the exhibition.
Channel 4 News spoke to ecologist Dr Emma Sayer who contributed to the exhibition - she said that she has asked for her name to be removed from the installations saying she was shocked and disappointed by the Shell sponsorship and felt "embarrassed to be involved"
A Science Museum spokesperson told #c4news that "energy companies need to play a big part" in the "transition to a low carbon economy" and that "we regard the blanket approach demanded by some campaigners of severing all relationships with energy companies as unproductive."
A Shell spokesperson said: “We fully respect the museum’s independence. That’s why its exhibition on carbon capture matters and why we supported it. Debate and discussion – among anyone who sees it – are essential.”
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
