Ethics

That Fixes Everything

by Sheldon Rampton — September 11, 2008 - 10:26am

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has issued a news release calling on the presidential campaigns of John McCain and Barack Obama to "uphold the highest standards of ethical practice in every facet of their campaign communications." PRSA CEO Jeffre

Main Source: 
PRSA news release, September 10, 2008

Jed Babbin: The Pentagon's Most Prolific Pundit

by Daniel Haack — August 19, 2008 - 12:35pm
  • Topics: Pundits, Ethics, Propaganda, U.S. Government, War / Peace

    • The morning of June 20, 2006, an email message circulated amongst U.S. Defense Department officials.

    "Jed Babbin, one of our military analysts, is hosting the Michael Medved nationally syndicated radio show this afternoon. He would like to see if General [George W.] Casey would be available for a phone interview," the Pentagon staffer wrote. "This would be a softball interview and the show is 8th or 9th in the nation."

    Why would the Pentagon help set up a radio interview? And how did they know that the interview would be "softball"?

    From early 2002 to April 2008, the Defense Department offered talking points, organized trips to places such as Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, and gave private briefings to a legion of retired military officers working as media pundits. The Pentagon's military analyst program, a covert effort to promote a positive image of the Bush administration's wartime performance, was a multi-level campaign involving quite a few colorful characters.

    Flipping through the over 8,000 pages of documents released in connection with the program, one Pentagon pundit arguably steals the spotlight: Jed Babbin.

    The Ghost of Jack Abramoff

    by Sheldon Rampton — August 16, 2008 - 3:20pm

    While Jack Abramoff serves a six-year prison sentence stemming from his role in one of the most elaborate corruption scandals in American politics, one of his most prominent former lobbyist associates, Ralph Reed, i

    Main Source: 
    Politifact.com, August 13, 2008

    Ethical News Director Receives Award

    by Judith Siers-Poisson — August 12, 2008 - 12:41pm

    As CMD previously reported, Eau Claire, Wisconsin news director Glen Mabie quit his job in January. Instead of going along with a deal that his station had struck with a local hospital to guarantee coverage of medical issues featuring personnel from that hospital and not others, Mabie left his position. The station later cancelled the agreement. Mabie is now being recognized for his stance.

    Main Source: 
    Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin), August 4, 2008

    Marketers Admit to Engaging in Media Pay for Play

    by Diane Farsetta — August 4, 2008 - 11:29am

    According to a survey of 252 U.S. chief marketing officers, nearly one in five "say their organizations have bought advertising in return for a news story." The survey was conducted on behalf of the public relations firm Manning, Selvage & Lee (MSL) and the trade publication PR Week (which doesn't appear to have reported on the results).

    Main Source: 
    Manning Selvage & Lee, July 30, 2008

    Private Spooks Court Journalists

    by Bob Burton — July 31, 2008 - 9:04pm

    Melissa Sweet, a freelance Australian health journalist, reports that she recently received an email from a staffer with the private intelligence company Hakluyt.

    Main Source: 
    Crikey (Australia, sub req'd), July 31, 2008

    Whose Line Is It, Anyway?

    by Diane Farsetta — July 30, 2008 - 12:36pm

    It's an "open secret of lobbying," writes Jeffrey Birnbaum. "Public relations firms regularly solicit authors of opinion-page articles, draft the pieces for them and place the articles in publications where they will have the most impact -- all for a fee." Recently, an op-ed criticizing a bill that would reduce credit card fees appeared in Southern newspapers, attributed to Charles Steele Jr., the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

    Main Source: 
    Washington Post, July 29, 2008

    Feds announce indictment of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens

    by Conor Kenny — July 29, 2008 - 4:13pm
  • Topics: Election 2008, Ethics

    • Federal investigators have been examining Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens' ties to Veco Oil and its former CEO, Bill Allen, for more than a year. Previous investigations into Veco and Allen's misdeeds have led to the convictions of a number of Alaska state lawmakers, while Allen pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy, bribery and tax charges.

    Having a Blast with the U.S. Army

    by Diane Farsetta — July 28, 2008 - 1:04pm

    For the U.S. Army it's "an innovative way to reach a new audience" and "an opportunity to shape their tastes." The "Virtual Army Experience," a multi-million dollar videogame and traveling exhibit, has been making stops at amusement parks, air shows and county fairs over the past year and a half.

    Main Source: 
    Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), July 28, 2008
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