That's a great suggestion of a constructive way to deal with this on a wider
level, Ann. I think you make some great points.
But I also think that this station needs to know in no uncertain terms that
they have insulted a large group of local people with whom they have a
mutually dependent relationship. Or at least WE like to think that's the
relationship. I have had some eye-opening conversations with a public
affairs pro who is a former print journalist. He assures me that the feeling
in the newsroom is not one of mutual dependence but that their service to
the public could be easily accomplished without us "spin doctors." But
that's a discussion for another day.
Thanks for your valuable input!!
-----Original Message-----
From: Public Relations Society of America
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Ann Hinch
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2002 8:16 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: WBIR promo is an insult to PR professionals
> Rant over. Would love to see others' opinions of this disgusting promo. I
am
> highly offended and wonder if any of you are, too.
Perhaps it would be far better to do something that shows the public what
positive contributions PR makes to society, rather than criticizing the
media for denouncing the profession. As you said, the public already has a
skeptical view of PR professionals and corporate America and their
relationship to each other; if you get upset with the station, I have a
feeling the station could turn that to its advantage somehow, and people
would be left thinking, "Aha! They (PR people and companies) DO have
something to hide!"
Why not denounce the term "spin doctors" and emphasize "public relations?"
Point out how PR people are valuable in getting correct information out to
the media and the public, and how a real professional concentrates not on
covering up something bad that happened, but on admitting mistakes and
reassuring the public that it's being handled well (and HOW it's being
handled) and why it won't happen again. Point out how valuable public
relations offices are to company employees, when a good PR office can handle
a situation both truthfully and professionally that saves the company and,
in turn, those workers' (the common people's) jobs. Point out how valuable
PR people help those at the top of a company understand better their
employees' and the public's needs, and how the company's policies are then
geared toward benefitting the employees and public. Point out how PR people
are responsible for getting new product and service information out to the
public in a timely and helpful manner by working with the media.
I'm not sure what form this self-promo would take, whether an ad or some
sort of public service campaign on the parts of the PRSA or maybe charitable
contributions from companies that specialize in public relations.
Now I feel like I've gone from "preaching to meddling," as a county
commissioner I once knew used to say, so I'll button up. Just my two tiny
cents, as a journalist for eight years.
Ann
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