Public Relations

Iraqi Kurds Seek U.S. Influence, Get Pro-War Help

by Diane Farsetta — April 23, 2007 - 12:06pm

"In the past year, the [Iraqi] Kurds have spent more than $3 million to retain lobbyists and set up a diplomatic office in Washington," writes Rajiv Chandrasekaran.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, April 23, 2007

Spin Doctor Claims Greenwashing Is Dying

by Bob Burton — April 20, 2007 - 5:10am

E. Bruce Harrison, who began his PR career by helping the pesticide industry attack Rachel Carson and her classic 1962 environmental book "Silent Spring," now proclaims that the era of corporate greenwashing is almost over. In an opinion column, he writes that greenwashing in the 1990's "meant the company was painting over bad stuff with good words.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), April 19, 2007

Blair Staff to Exit via Revolving Door

by Bob Burton — April 20, 2007 - 3:45am

With British Prime Minister Tony Blair expected to retire from politics in the next few weeks, some of his staff are already jumping ship.

Main Source: 
PR Week, April 18, 2007

Just What Iraq Needs: More U.S. Propaganda

by Diane Farsetta — April 19, 2007 - 4:16pm

Gen. David Petraeus, "the top U.S. commander in Iraq, has asked for changes that would allow" the blending of public affairs -- the military's truth-telling function -- with "information operations," or propaganda. In response, Pentagon officials are reconsidering 2004 guidelines drafted by Gen. Richard Myers, which directed that the two be separate.

Main Source: 
Los Angeles Times, April 18, 2007

Onward, Free Market Soldiers: Privatizing Public Diplomacy

by Diane Farsetta — April 18, 2007 - 10:48am
  • Topics: Public Diplomacy, Corporations, International, Public Relations, U.S. Government, War / Peace

    • U.S. Under Secretary of State Karen Hughes' remarks at the "Private Sector Summit on Public Diplomacy" opened on a militaristic note. "Looking around the room and seeing the quality and the scope of the talent represented here," she said, "I feel like reinforcements have arrived."

    GoodWorks Means Good Money For Andrew Young in Nigeria

    by John Stauber — April 18, 2007 - 7:39am

    PR executive Andrew Young parlayed his civil rights and liberal political background into a lucrative career representing Wal-Mart Stores, Nike and other corporations.

    Main Source: 
    New York Times, April 18, 2007

    New Participatory Project: Adding Examples of Greenwash to SourceWatch

    by Bob Burton — April 18, 2007 - 7:22am

    In the last few weeks we have fielded inquiries from journalists around the world seeking recent local examples of greenwashing. Given that the article on greenwashing has ranked up amongst the top 50 articles in terms of the number of readers over the last few months, we figure it is time to add some recent case studies. So, if you have an example that springs to mind, here's your chance to add it to our collection.

    Main Source: 
    Greenwashing Examples for SourceWatch

    How Hill & Knowlton Pioneered Unsound Science

    by Diane Farsetta — April 16, 2007 - 3:11pm

    In the 1950s, with the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer becoming well established, the tobacco industry was in crisis.

    Main Source: 
    AlterNet, April 16, 2007
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