Public Relations

"Citizen" Pharmaceutical: Petitioning the Government to Pick Your Pocket?

by Jonathan Rosenblum — July 18, 2006 - 3:43pm

A bipartisan Senate inquiry into Food and Drug Administration generic drug reviews suggests that Big Pharma's abuse of so-called "citizen petitions" is costing consumers tens of millions of dollars each month.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, July 4, 2006 (sub req'd)

Government PR Dominates Washington Coverage, Says Veteran Reporter Pincus

by Bob Burton — July 15, 2006 - 10:24pm

Reflecting on his 50 years of reporting Washington politics, Washington Post journalist, Walter Pincus, notes that media coverage has "become dominated by increasingly sophisticated public relations practitioners, primarily in the White House and other agencies of government." Writing in an edition of the Nieman Reports on the theme of "journalistic courage", Pincus argues that "journalistic courage should include the refusal to publish in a newspaper or carry on a TV or radio news show any statement

Main Source: 
Nieman Reports, July 13, 2006

Cosmetic Solutions: The Makeup Industry Gives Itself a Health Hazard Makeover

by Diane Farsetta — July 14, 2006 - 6:32pm
  • Topics: Activism, Children, Environment, Health, Public Relations

    • Breast cancer. Genital abnormalities. Distortion and damage of genetic material.

    Common ingredients in cosmetic products have been linked to these hazards. As further research is conducted into the long-term and cumulative effects on cosmetics users, their children and the water supply that products are washed off into, more questions arise. Not that you'd know it by listening to the cosmetics industry.

    An important underlying issue is that the industry is largely self-regulated. While interstate trade in "adulterated or misbranded cosmetics" is prohibited, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not review new cosmetics before they are marketed and cannot order recalls of hazardous cosmetics. "Cosmetic firms are responsible for substantiating the safety of their products and ingredients," reads the FDA's own explanation.

    The industry's trade group, the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA), likes this hands-off approach. CTFA has 600 member companies, including Aveda, Clairol, L'Oréal and Unilever, and standing committees on government relations, public affairs and international issues. Its website says CTFA promotes "industry self-regulation and reasonable governmental requirements." But reasonable to who?

    Putin PR Fest Surrounds G8 Summit

    by Diane Farsetta — July 14, 2006 - 6:10pm

    The St. Petersburg G8 summit is at the center of a public relations maelstrom, reports The Times.

    Main Source: 
    The Times (UK), July 13, 2006

    "Cause-Related Marketing": Why Social Change and Corporate Profits Don’t Mix

    by Inger Stole — July 14, 2006 - 4:32pm
  • Topics: Corporate Social Responsibility, Marketing, Public Relations

    • In the 1980s, a new form of marketing was born: Cause-Related Marketing (CRM), a hybrid of product advertising and corporate public relations. CRM aims to link corporate identities with nonprofit organizations and good causes. As a tax-deductible expense for business, this form of brand leveraging seeks to connect with the consuming public beyond the traditional point of purchase and to form long-lasting and emotional ties with consumers. However, what might seem like a fair exchange between corporations in search of goodwill and non-profits in search of funds also raises a range of troubling social, political and ethical questions.

    CRM is, first and foremost, a market-driven system. Therefore, a non-profit organization's chance of obtaining CRM funding hinges on its ability to complement sales messages. However, it is often the case that vital social issues are only -- or are best -- addressed by "edgy" groups or by using controversial tactics.

    Support Our Troops

    by Sheldon Rampton — July 13, 2006 - 9:29pm

    "The U.S. military doesn't do all its public relations work overseas -- it's also investing in grass-roots efforts here at home," reports NPR's Martin Kaste. "The Pentagon's 'America Supports You' program employs Pentagon staff and private PR contractors to coordinate activities that support the armed forces. 'Freedom Walk' marches, letter-writing campaigns, even supplements in kids' Weekly Reader, are all paid for by the Pentagon itself.

    Main Source: 
    National Public Radio, July 13, 2006

    John Rendon

    John Rendon

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    Newspaper Showdown in Santa Barbara

    by Diane Farsetta — July 10, 2006 - 4:56pm

    Seven reporters and editors have left the Santa Barbara News-Press, saying owner Wendy McCaw and interim publisher Travis Armstrong "had censored or killed news stories over editors' objections." On July 6, Armstrong "escorted the newspaper's editor, Jerry Roberts, out of the News-Press offices" while other employees "shouted obscenities at Armstrong." The departing staff say "standard journalistic ethics" were violated by such incidents as McCaw killing a story on Armstrong's recent drunk driving sentence.

    Main Source: 
    Los Angeles Times, July 8, 2006

    When Newspapers Fall for Political "Drops"

    by Bob Burton — July 9, 2006 - 12:29am

    "Next time you see an 'exclusive' tag on a story about state politics, stop and have a closer look. The chances are that the story, far from being a feat of journalistic endeavor, is what we call in the trade 'a drop,'" writes Anne Davies in the Sydney Morning Herald. "You'll be able to tell it's a drop because it's likely to quote one side of politics only. This is often a condition of the drop." Drops, especially those in Sunday papers, help politicians influence the week's media agenda.

    Main Source: 
    Sydney Morning Herald, July 3, 2006
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