Public affairs is where public relations suffers the most reputation-wise because that is where its affects are felt most heavily.
Alastair Campbell, although great at his job, brutally damaged the reputation of public relations officers in the United Kingdom. He controlled media content and coverage of Tony Blair's words and actions for a long time and his attitude toward journalists created a tense relationship with media outlets. As Director of Communications, Campbell had the difficult job of gaining public support for all government actions. True, he was tough and ruled with an iron fist, but how else was he to accomplish such a monumental task? He was effective and he was shrewd and whether an individual believes him to have been an evil monster or just a good Director of Communications, depends on whether they agreed with what was carried out during Blair's time in Number 10. The perspective of someone studying your actions is perhaps even more important than your own intent.
Saturday, 6 January 2007
Friday, 5 January 2007
So are public relations officers the bogeyman for a new generation?
Why is such a negative view of those working in public relations the pervading one in our contemporary society?
The field of public relations is often skirting controversy, particularly in the area of current affairs. In fact, as I literally write these very words, on the television screen in front of me (background noise is imperative to my work environment, I'm not slacking I swear) BBC Two is advertising a program called "Political Spin-Doctoring - In the thick of it."
The goal of public relations is to garner positive public opinion. It's a matter of selling something you represent, be it a person, a product or an idea and you cannot sell something by telling your customers about all the negatives, you have to emphasize the positive.
The real difference between bogeymen and regular ole human beings and all their faults is intent. Whether a public relations company purposely intends to manipulate public opinion in the quest for a hefty paycheck knowing that whatever they represent may be harmful to public good or is the organizations or person simply to trying to generate word of mouth about something they think could serve the general good. Intent becomes imperative.
Why is such a negative view of those working in public relations the pervading one in our contemporary society?
The field of public relations is often skirting controversy, particularly in the area of current affairs. In fact, as I literally write these very words, on the television screen in front of me (background noise is imperative to my work environment, I'm not slacking I swear) BBC Two is advertising a program called "Political Spin-Doctoring - In the thick of it."
The goal of public relations is to garner positive public opinion. It's a matter of selling something you represent, be it a person, a product or an idea and you cannot sell something by telling your customers about all the negatives, you have to emphasize the positive.
The real difference between bogeymen and regular ole human beings and all their faults is intent. Whether a public relations company purposely intends to manipulate public opinion in the quest for a hefty paycheck knowing that whatever they represent may be harmful to public good or is the organizations or person simply to trying to generate word of mouth about something they think could serve the general good. Intent becomes imperative.
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