Public Relations

Without Academic Partnerships, the Tobacco Industry Loses Power

by Anne Landman — February 18, 2008 - 5:52pm
  • Topics: Third Party Technique, Children, Corporations, Ethics, Health, International, Public Relations, Tobacco, U.S. Government

    • A February 9 Los Angeles Times article about University of California, Los Angeles professor Edythe London taking a $6 million grant from Philip Morris to study the brains of child smokers and monkeys addicted to nicotine once again raises questions about the appropriateness of university researchers accepting tobacco industry funding. Philip Morris denied that they have a stake in this particular project, but the denial had little credibility since the company no doubt will benefit from understanding more about youth smoking and nicotine addiction. After all, the future of their business depends on these two topics. Still, we wonder why any person curious enough to be engaged in scientific research isn't also curious enough to find out what's in it for Philip Morris before they accept the funds? These days, the answer is as close as your computer.

    Microsoft Tells Students: We Have Rights Too, You Know

    by Diane Farsetta — February 14, 2008 - 11:17am

    "Education is the key to stemming illegal downloads of music and other content," concluded a new study.

    Main Source: 
    O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), February 13, 2008

    Green Garbage Trucks

    by Sheldon Rampton — February 14, 2008 - 1:54am

    Waste Management, the U.S. waste disposal company that Rachel's Hazardous Waste News once called "the nation's largest polluter," has been trying to clean up its reputation.

    Main Source: 
    New York Times, February 7, 2008

    Unspinning the U.S. Elections

    by Diane Farsetta — February 13, 2008 - 12:10pm

    The Center for Media and Democracy is contributing biweekly radio reports on politics and spin to "Election Unspun," a daily news show put together by Pacifica Radio and Free Speech Radio News.

    Main Source: 
    Election Unspun, February 13, 2008

    Merck Minimizes Accusations It Swindled the U.S. Government

    by Anne Landman — February 12, 2008 - 5:47pm

    The pharmaceutical company Merck agreed to a $650 million settlement to escape charges that it routinely overbilled the U.S. government for medicines.

    Main Source: 
    Washington Post, February 8, 2008

    Big Oil: Coming Soon to a Rotary Club Near You!

    by Diane Farsetta — February 12, 2008 - 5:21pm

    The American Petroleum Institute's (API's) efforts to assuage public resentment of the oil industry apparently know no bounds. API's Denise McCourt recently addressed a Rotary Club meeting in Charleston, West Virginia. "The oil and natural gas industry hasn't done a very good job telling people about energy issues," McCourt told the group.

    Main Source: 
    The Charleston Gazette (West Virginia), February 12, 2008

    Meijer Admission

    by Sheldon Rampton — February 7, 2008 - 4:19pm

    The Meijer retail chain has issued a public apology, admitting that it "likely violated campaign finance and reporting laws" and pledging to "comply with any and all direction, penalties, fines or other actions required by the Department of State" in connection with its covert effort to manipulate elections in Acme Township, Michigan, where local officials opposed its pla

    Main Source: 
    Grand Rapids Press, February 5, 2008
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