We’ve been paying some attention to the mockumentary Chesapeake Energy has produced for showing multiple times on Arkansas TV stations. Done in news magazine style, it is presented as unscripted comments from real people about the glories of shale exploration — beaucoup jobs and barrels of money and no harmful impact on the environment.

Chesapeake is doing this sort of thing everywhere, such as to build goodwill for its exploration of the Barnett shale in Texas. There, the drilling isn’t restricted to remote, lightly populated rural areas, as is the general case in Arkansas. Check out this “investigative news reporting” from Chesapeake on its exploration in the Fort Worth area, where they want to explore residential neighborhoods. “It’s no more hazardous than all the houses in Fort Worth that have gas as their principal utility,” one man is quoted as saying. It is true that the film mentions potential concerns — such as the noise of drilling in a neighborhood The concerns are, of course, swept away with testimonials to the gas company. “Small inconvenience for a big gain,” is the theme.

Advertisement

Check it out. 

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article Last Night: Who knew the importance of fresh produce? Next article Echoes of Memphis