Quote of the Day

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Quote of the Day

• Public sentiment is everything. With public
  sentiment nothing can fail without it nothing
  can succeed. He who molds public sentiment goes
  deeper than he who enacts statutes or decisions
  possible or impossible to execute.
• --Abraham Lincoln, 1860

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JAMM 445

• History of Mass Media
• Week 11 PR, Part 2 Truth Merchants

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PR since World War II

• Changes in society create demand for PR
• Social responsibility by corporations
• Consumer activism
• Complexity of business, government
• U.S. population growth, mobility

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Media Dependence on PR

• PR agencies supply press releases, VNRs, fact
  sheets, etc.
• Estimate 40 to 50 of all news content is
  PR-inspired

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Media Dependence on PR

• I have a dirty little secret. I like PR people.
  OK, I don't like all of them, but I must admit
  that a lot of publicists have helped me in my
  quest to speak to the right person, set up an
  interview, give me background info. The dance
  between PR person and reporter is one of those
  push/pull, love/hate relationships.
• --Marc Glaser, OnLine Journalism Review

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PR Benefits

• Better understanding of how business, government
  work
• Easier access to decision makers by reporters
• Best way for non-profit groups, advocates to get
  message out

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PR Drawbacks

• Obstacle to direct contact between voters,
  elected officials
• Manipulation of public opinion through selective
  release of facts
• Concealment of key data
• Glossing over bad news

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PR Critics

• www.prwatch.org
• PR Watch specializes in blowing the lid off
  today's multi-billion dollar propaganda-for-hire
  industry, naming names and revealing how public
  relations wizards concoct and spin the news,
  organize phony 'grassroots' front groups, spy on
  citizens, and conspire with lobbyists and
  politicians to thwart democracy.
• PR Watch Web site

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VIDEO Truth Merchants

• This video examines the constantly shifting and
  blurred line between "real" news and promotional
  information designed to look and sound like news
  in an effort to hide its true entrepreneurial
  purposes.

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VIDEO Truth Merchants

• As you watch the video, consider
• Whats the difference between good PR and bad PR?
• What techniques do spin doctors use to conceal
  PR clients true agendas?
• What tools would help the public distinguish
  between information propaganda?