For related articles and more information, please visit OCA’s All About Organics page, Genetic Engineering page and our Millions Against Monsanto page.

The genetically modified crop, pesticide and chemical giant Monsanto has drawn the unbridled rage of protesters worldwide for their relentless bid to control the seed and food supply, and for their crops’ adverse health effects and cross contamination of their organic counterparts.

The company and its competitors such as Dow Chemical and DuPont are also heavily embedded within the academic scene and among decision makers in government, with the goal of changing the narrative on GMO crops and hiding the truth from consumers.

A recent study downplaying the positive benefits of organic food made waves recently as it was picked up by several major media outlets. But since its release earlier this week, it has also come under scrutiny because of possible conflicts of interest, as well as the rush to judgement in the big media headlines placed on their stories.

Here is an example of the Stanford organic study with a headline amplifying the alleged similarities between organic and “conventional” (pesticide-laced) produce from the Washington Post. And here is another example of a headline that actually highlights the benefits shown by organic food in the same study, completely flipping the script.

These two examples show just how important it is to have control of the flow of information, and right now, the big pesticide and big food companies have much more control, although they’re losing their grip.

It also shows how important it is to look beyond the headlines, and for media outlets to do more research instead of simply passing along press releases with vested interests in one side or the other as news, and as the be-all, end-all.