We’re not the enemy, Chris
Public Relations Institute of Australia President Shane Allison calls out editor-in-chief of The Australian, Chris Dore for saying, “[PR professionals] are employed to stop us actually finding out information”.
I had the opportunity to listen to editor-in-chief of The Australian, Chris Dore’s inaugural The Editor’s Lecture at the Judith Nielsen Institute for Journalism and Ideas over the weekend, available in podcast form, YouTube or in The Australian.
It’s a thought-provoking talk about the role of journalism, News Corp and the public sphere today and well worth the time for communicators to catch up on.
However, in the Q&A, Chris takes a swipe at the Public Relations and Communications profession in a way which can only be described as poor form for an editor with significant sway over the attitudes of journalists across Australia.
The PR industry still has a lot to answer for, especially when it comes to glossing over hard facts about damaging products: tobacco, gambling, alcohol and fossil fuels. Until you enforce your code of practice by expelling members, or refuse to work with companies that are damaging society. your credibility will remain under a cloud.
No PR practitioner has distorted reality and public debate than the Murdoch media.
Well said, Shane!