The ‘Science’ Museum just killed irony (and their own reputation).
Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has criticised the Science Museum following reports it signed a “gagging clause” with oil giant Shell over sponsorship of one of its exhibitions.
Sections of a contract between the London museum and Shell, published online by campaign group Culture Unstained, appeared to show an agreement “not to damage the goodwill and reputation” of the company.
Shell’s sponsorship of the Our Future Planet exhibition – featuring carbon capture and storage technologies and nature-based solutions to the climate crisis – was previously criticised by environmental activists.
Problematic
Culture Unstained said the agreement between the two parties was “problematic”.
“The official contract with Shell reveals how the museum effectively signed up to a ‘gagging clause’ that prevents it from making ‘any statement’ that could be seen as damaging Shell’s reputation,” it said.
“This clause might be regarded as standard by the Science Museum Group (SMG) but, in this setting, it is hugely problematic.”
Attitudes
Writing on Twitter on Thursday, the 18-year-old Nobel peace prize nominee said: “The ‘Science’ Museum just killed irony (and their own reputation).”
Jonathan Newby, acting director and chief executive at the Science Museum Group, said: “We entirely reject the unsubstantiated claim that our curators were in any way inhibited in carrying out their vital role in an expert, independent and thorough manner.”
A Shell spokesperson said: “We fully respect the museum’s independence."
Ms Thunberg has previously used social media to respond to world leaders and their attitudes towards the environment.
This Author
Mike Bedigan is a reporter with PA.
