I recall that this is exactly what Monsanto was caught doing about a year ago, to cover up the dangerous effects of the chemicals they used (iirc). Paid shills on the internet who had facts at the ready to disprove Monsanto's bad actions, and were willing to use 'conspiracy theorist' to shut up anyone who didn't believe them. And, the facts they used came from legit-looking research, which Monsanto was also exposed to have created fraudulently, by suppressing bad results and elevating 'good' results.
