Twitter and Transparency
Mark Green
Posted August 22, 2011
On Thursday, August 4th, there was a breaking news story that API was using fake twitter accounts to promote the Keystone XL pipeline, and it was indeed breaking news, even for us. So we looked into it.
We found a junior consultant for one of our affiliated groups became a little too enthusiastic while tweeting on the myths opponents have been perpetrating on oil sands and the Keystone XL pipeline. Without approval from anyone associated with API the consultant created multiple fake twitter accounts in the mistaken belief that this was an appropriate tactic for driving traffic to the facts on the issue.
This is not an appropriate tactic and we do not tolerate this kind of behavior at API. We use the highest ethical standards in all aspects of our business, including transparency in our communications efforts. And we expect the same from our consultants. As soon as API learned of this improper behavior we terminated our association with the individual.
API is committed to an open and transparent debate about energy issues and we apologize for this incident.
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.