Hypersensitive Exxon bans Guardian from AGM

Oil firm accuses newspaper of ‘lack of objectivity’ on climate change reporting in ‘campaign’ against energy companies

Keep it in the ground, this newspaper has argued for ages on fossil fuels. Then keep out of our annual meeting, replies ExxonMobil.

Or, to quote Exxon’s media relations manager, Alan Jeffers: “We are denying your request [to attend Wednesday’s meeting] because of the Guardian’s lack of objectivity on climate change reporting demonstrated by its partnership with anti-oil and gas activists and its campaign against companies that provide energy necessary for modern life, including newspapers.”

Corporate arrogance-cum-hypersensitivity on this scale is rare these days. One suspects Exxon’s board is still cross that it has lost its battleto prevent resolutions on climate change being put to the meeting.

The New York State Retirement Fund – backed by investors from around the world – has been allowed by the US Securities & Exchange Commission to table a proposal that would oblige Exxon to publish an annual assessment of the effect on its business of governments’ policies to limit climate change.

Oil industry rivals BP, Shell and Statoil have willingly supported and adopted similar proposals. Exxon, by contrast, seems determined to resist, just as it refuses to contemplate the possibility that some of its shareholders may sympathise with the Guardian’s reporting and wish to read a firsthand account of the meeting. Grow up.