International

Citizen Journalism Flourishes in Dark Corners

by Bob Burton — August 4, 2009 - 4:05am

A global study into 60 citizen journalism projects in 33 countries found citizen journalism flourished under governments which could be characterized as "soft authoritarianism" regimes such as in Malaysia and South Korea.

Main Source: 
The Australian, August 3, 2009

Honduras Tries for a PR Coup

by Diane Farsetta — July 15, 2009 - 3:37pm

The negotiating team representing Honduras' coup government "rarely made a move without consulting ... an American public relations specialist who has done work for former President Bill Clinton," reports the New York Times. Roberto Micheletti heads the "de facto" government of Honduras, which took power after the military coup against elected president Manuel Zelaya.

Main Source: 
New York Times, July 12, 2009

"Toxic Bob" Spins Chretien Through the Revolving Door

by Bob Burton — July 13, 2009 - 5:25am

Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien has been appointed as a "senior international adviser" to Ivanhoe Mines. The Executive Chairman of Ivanhoe Mines, Robert Friedland, who earned the nickname "Toxic Bob" after a major cyanide spill from a gold mine in Colorado in 1993, was upbeat about the benefits of hiring Chretien. "We believe that Mr.

Main Source: 
Ivanhoe Mines Media Release (pdf), July 8, 2008

Murdoch Subsidiary Faces Investigation Over Spying Claims

by Bob Burton — July 9, 2009 - 2:44pm

Nick Davies reports that a UK subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation "has paid out more than £1m to settle legal cases that threatened to reveal evidence of his journalists' repeated involvement in the use of criminal methods to get stories." "The payments," he reports, "secured secrecy over out-of-court settlements in three cases that threatened to expose evidence of Murdoch journalists using private investigators who il

Main Source: 
Guardian (UK), July 8, 2009

IRENA Match Called for Nuclear

by Diane Farsetta — July 7, 2009 - 3:04pm

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) officially launched on July 1, with 108 member countries. IRENA is meant "to make renewable energy more accessible to every country in the world. ...

Main Source: 
Christian Science Monitor, June 29, 2009

Roche Flees Drug Dens

by Bob Burton — July 1, 2009 - 5:14am

The global drug firm Roche has decided to withdraw from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PhRMA), the peak lobbying group for the U.S. drug industry.

Main Source: 
The Star-Ledger (New Jersey), June 29, 2009

Timing Is Everything

by Bob Burton — July 1, 2009 - 4:50am

A British public relations executive is cautioning PR professionals not to release bad news in the wake of Michael Jackson's death. "No-one can ever trump Labour aide Jo Moore's debacle during the September 11 attacks, but there'll be cynics out there watching very carefully for companies releasing stuff under cover of global mourning," said Dougal Paver, Managing Director of Paver Smith.

Main Source: 
PR Week (UK), June 29, 2009

Prying Doors Open at The Economist

by Bob Burton — June 25, 2009 - 5:26am

"The Economist," bemoans Andy Rowlands, the director of corporate, issues and technology practice at the public relations giant Burson-Marsteller, "is one of the most influential, but also most difficult places to secure coverage." The former head of PR for the London-based magazine (now a PR consultant), Eileen Wise, suggests that persistence pays off.

Main Source: 
PR Week, June 23, 2009

Kremlin Comrades Crave Kinder Coverage

by Diane Farsetta — June 24, 2009 - 10:52am

In May, the Russian government "created a high-level commission to overhaul its image on the world stage as the first anniversary of Russia's war with Georgia approaches." The commission is chaired by President Dmitry Medvedev's chief of staff, Sergei Naryshikin, "underscoring how serious the Kremlin considers the problem, which it often blames on shadowy external enemies and ill-wishers," reports the Wall Street Journal.

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), June 18, 2009

Tobacco-Free Coverage for Australian Honoree

by Bob Burton — June 10, 2009 - 2:53pm
  • Topics: Journalism, International, Tobacco

    • Should someone who worked for one the world's biggest tobacco companies be celebrated as a national role model?

    Ms. Quentin Bryce, the Australian Governor-General who acts as the representative of the Queen of England, apparently thinks so. To coincide with the Queen's Birthday long weekend in early June, Bryce announced that Carla Zampatti had been made a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia for "service through leadership and management roles in the fashion and retail property sectors, to multicultural broadcasting, and to women as a role model and mentor." Two others were also made companions, the most prestigious honorary titles bestowed on individuals.The awards, announced twice a year, are extensively publicised in the mainstream media.

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