Terrorism

"Anti-Terrorism" Becomes a Bludgeon Against Activists

by John Stauber — November 26, 2001 - 10:51am

A well-funded business front group, the Washington Legal Foundation, is one of many using September 11th to condemn the patriotism of public interest activists.

Main Source: 
http://www.wlf.org/Communicating/

Terrorizing the Environmental Movement

by Sheldon Rampton — November 26, 2001 - 1:00am

Rep. Scott McInnis of the GOP wants leading green groups to denounce eco-terror, though they're already on record against it. Is he using Sept. 11 to crack down on groups he disagrees with? Environmental activist Ray Vaughan responds to McInnis: "We have long fought against those secretive multi-national organizations that have sponsored 'environmental terrorism' in America. Throughout our great land, these groups are poisoning our air, our water and our food supply. Children have been hurt. People have been killed. ...

Main Source: 
Salon.com, November 26, 2001

Bin Laden's Kin Still Looking for a PR Firm

by Sheldon Rampton — November 26, 2001 - 1:00am

PR Week reported on October 1 that family members of Osama bin Laden went shopping for a PR firm shortly after September 11 to help distance themselves from their terrorist relative, whom they claim to have disinherited several years ago. Steven Goldstein and his firm, Attention America, was approached by one of bin Laden's brothers in late September. Goldstein, who is Jewish and pro-Israel, thinks he was approached by the bin Laden family because of his religious and political stance.

Main Source: 
The Holmes Report, November 26, 2001

Another Spin Doctor for Saudi Arabia

by Sheldon Rampton — November 21, 2001 - 1:00am

Saudi Arabia, which hired Burson-Marsteller three days following the September 11 terror attacks, has signed up another PR firm to help manage its image in the United States. Qorvis Communications, headed by former Shandwick North America CEO Michael Petruzzello, will do polling and Congressional lobbying.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's Email Newsletter, November 21, 2001

Big Brother in the UK

by Sheldon Rampton — November 19, 2001 - 1:00am

Like the United States, Britain is using the specter of terrorism to write new laws that erode domestic civil liberties. The House of Commons this week began considering a bill submitted by Prime Minister Tony Blair. According to the Guardian, "policy-makers have dusted down several of their more regressive proposals that have already been rebuffed once, to give them another run in the new coercive climate. ... The most serious infringement of civil rights ...

Main Source: 
The Guardian (UK), November 19, 2001

Pharmaceutical Industry Taps Edelman to Handle Bioterrorism

by Sheldon Rampton — November 19, 2001 - 1:00am

The Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers Association (PhRMA) has hired Edelman Public Relations Worldwide to help position the pharmaceutical industry as a "leading source of information to the public" on the issue of bioterrorism. For the other side of the story, check out what Corpwatch.org has to say about wartime profiteering by drug companies and the controversy on patented drugs which started when the first signs of anthrax attacks appeared in the US.

Main Source: 
Holmes Report, November 19, 2001; PR Week, November 26, 2001

PR in the New World Order

by Sheldon Rampton — November 19, 2001 - 1:00am

PR has a vital role to play in promoting economic globalization and fighting terrorism, according to the latest issue of The Holmes Report, a public relations industry trade newsletter. Holmes cites the musings of Jack Leslie, chairman of Weber Shandwick Worldwide and a past executive with the Sawyer Miller Group (whose role in explaining away the Colombian government's involvement with drug traffickers is detailed our book, Toxic Sludge Is Good For You).

Main Source: 
Holmes Report, November 19, 2001; PR Week, November 26, 2001

"Spiritual Patriotism": Selling Is Believing

by Sheldon Rampton — November 18, 2001 - 1:00am

"The president of the United States is encouraging us to buy," observes marketer Chuck Kelly. "Broadway stars donate their time to film a commercial asking us to visit New York City. The Federal Reserve Board chairman tells us that the best tonic for the economy is for consumers to invest in it by spending money. Could any marketer ask for more?" Kelly argues that America is "embarking on a journey of spiritual patriotism" that "is about pride, loyalty, caring and believing" -- not to mention, of course, selling.

Main Source: 
Minneapolis Star Tribune, November 18, 2001

Edelman Helps Stop the Bleeding at Red Cross

by Sheldon Rampton — November 12, 2001 - 1:00am

The American Red Cross has hired the Edelman PR firm and the firm of Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates to handle criticism that arose when the Red Cross revealed that it only planned to give out $300 of the $560 million-plus dollars collected for victims' families of the assaults on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Main Source: 
PR Week, November 12, 2001 & November 26, 2001

Terrorist-Baiting the Democrats

by Sheldon Rampton — November 9, 2001 - 1:00am

Notwithstanding the Bush administration's calls for national unity, right-minded Republicans are still trying to demonize Democrats. American Renewal, the lobbying wing of the Family Research Council, has launched an advertising campaign suggesting that Tom Daschle is a Saddam Hussein sympathizer. "What do Saddam Hussein and Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle have in common?" stated a news release announcing the ad campaign.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, November 9, 2001
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