Penn State’s Film Series Tackles Scientific Disinformation with “Merchants of Doubt” Screening

Penn State’s Sustain initiative continues its Intersections film series with an online screening of “Merchants of Doubt” on Wednesday, November 5, at 7 p.m. The documentary, directed by award-winning filmmaker Robert Kenner, exposes how corporations have historically employed seemingly credible scientific voices to spread misinformation and create public doubt about scientific findings—particularly when those findings might lead to increased regulation or oversight.

Based on the 2010 book by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway, the film reveals systematic efforts to undermine scientific consensus on issues ranging from climate change to public health. Despite being released over a decade ago, the documentary’s themes remain strikingly relevant in today’s polarized information landscape, where scientific communication continues to face significant challenges.

The documentary features scientists who have become targets of hate campaigns and politicians who lost their positions after publicly supporting scientific evidence. These personal stories highlight the real-world consequences of scientific disinformation campaigns and the obstacles faced by those advocating for evidence-based policy.

Following the screening, viewers will participate in a panel discussion organized by Penn State’s “Our Common Purpose” initiative—a collaborative effort preparing for the 250th anniversary of the United States and the Declaration of Independence in 2026. The initiative aims to examine pathways toward a more truthful, trusting collective future for all Americans.

The discussion will focus on science’s current role in public discourse and policymaking, exploring strategies to protect scientific integrity in decision-making processes. This comes at a critical time when scientific authority faces unprecedented challenges across multiple domains, from climate policy to public health measures.

“We are surrounded by various forms of media, and it is critical for everyone to have media literacy,” said Julius Camper, student and public programming coordinator for Sustain Penn State. “This event will provide a closer look at climate disinformation and its presence in our media, and provide insights regarding how media can be manipulated.”

The panel features notable Penn State faculty and experts, including Matt Jordan, head of the Department of Film Production and Media Studies in the Bellisario College of Communications. Jordan also directs Penn State’s News Literacy Initiative and hosts the “News Over Noise” podcast, which tackles misinformation issues.

Joining him will be Janet Swim, professor of psychology and associate director of the Climate Consortium, whose research focuses on social dynamics of environmental and climate change. Eli Andrews, adjunct instructor of management and organization, brings practical expertise as CEO and founder of civicIQ, a company that helps renewable energy developers navigate the permitting process.

The event represents a collaborative effort across multiple Penn State departments and institutes, including the College of the Liberal Arts, the McCourtney Institute for Democracy, and the Bellisario College of Communications. This cross-disciplinary approach reflects the complex, multifaceted nature of scientific communication challenges in contemporary society.

The screening comes amid growing concerns about the erosion of trust in scientific institutions and the proliferation of misinformation through social media platforms. Recent studies have shown that scientific consensus on issues like climate change is often undermined by coordinated campaigns that employ many of the same tactics revealed in “Merchants of Doubt.”

The Intersections film series screening is free and open to the public, though pre-registration is required. This event offers an opportunity for students, faculty, and community members to engage with pressing questions about scientific integrity, media literacy, and democratic decision-making in an era of information abundance and distortion.