Kevin’s Blog

The value of public relations is well-recognized. The successful practice of PR is truly an art, an honorable profession that plays an important role in 21st century communications. Since the end of World War II, its practice has evolved and improved to a point where most every organization, from the biggest Fortune 500 company to smallest not-for profit association, relies on public relations to serve as its voice and face, often with the goal of reaching and influencing target audiences and constituencies.  

Among the tactics PR practioners employ is media relations. This too has developed and been polished over the years. Where once a “PR man” bought a reporter a drink while handing over a press release, today broadcast, print and Internet news media have come to rely on their professional counterparts in public relations field to help them develop and present news and information of interest or use to their readers, listeners and viewers.

And this is the American way, is it not? Anyone may speak publically on anything, and the media may choose to listen or not, and to report on anything it deems of value to its audiences. What’s really great is modern audiences are just as free to choose their information sources. With the advent of the Internet, satellite radio, and hundreds of TV and radio channels, Americans have never had more media choices from which to gather information and ideas.

Yet, there are some critics who challenge these fundamental American freedoms. They believe PR - all PR - is sinister, deceptive and dishonest. Instead of a free market of ideas, they see a diabolical plot hatched by media and corporate interests to deceive the American public.

Naturally, the critics in question at the Center for Media & Democracy only believe this as it applies to others and not themselves. Because their’s is a “noble cause”, the CMD leaders are free to employ the very same PR tactics they condemn others using in order to promote themselves and their paranoid worldview, all while selling their books and raising cash for their “center”, in hyocritical acknowledgement of the value of public relations.

Why, their book publisher has even produced and distributed glossy press kits, press releases and even “suggested questions” for lazy interviewers.  When the CMD makes an announcement, it uses that tried and true PR tactic the news conference to get the word out. Their leaders appreciate the power of the media tour when they speciously promote themselves as “experts” on everything from mad cow disease to toxic sludge to corrupt politics. Talk about being all things to all people!

But we’ll be bigger than the folks at the CMD. We welcome them to the world of PR and honor their right to speak their minds freely through a free and independent news media. We’re delighted they recognize its importance and practice PR freely, but wonder why  they tell us our freedom to practice it needs to be regulated by the government, never mind the silly First Amendment guarantees of free speech and a free press.