Greenpeace and the online genetically modified food debate in the UK: The role of science and scientific evidence in ‘environmental representation’

This article investigates Greenpeace’s use of science in ‘environmental representation’ in news articles concerning genetically modified food, and how commenters respond in the associated below the line comments. This article provides an answer through a qualitative data analysis using a discourse analysis of data from 5 UK news organisations, commencing 1 January 2015 until 31 December 2015. The findings reveal the importance of science and scientific evidence in claims-making and ‘environmental representation’ by Greenpeace in relation to genetically modified foods in news articles. However, below the line commenters reject the idea of scientific evidence being used by Greenpeace. Instead, these commenters claim Greenpeace oppose scientific developments. The article concludes by discussing how this study adds to the understanding of claims-making and ‘environmental representation’ by Greenpeace with respect to genetically modified foods in news articles, and how the below the line commenters challenge the legitimacy of Greenpeace as an ‘environmental representative’.