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Comments on:
Public relations primer

By Liz Farsaci

Published on July 21, 2008



I read your article with much interest, even though I believe it simplifies too much the role of the so-called “PR people”. Let me be honest about my position: I work in a PR consultancy and love my job. It allows me to have access to the most interesting people of two worlds: the world of media and the world of business.
I believe one must distinguish between different types of PR, the same way one has different types of journalism: tabloid and serious. A good journalist knows the difference between both.
“Serious” PR can be found in a lot of places: in public or private institutions and companies, governments international organisations, etc. It can also be found in NGOs and other aid institutions working in very difficult scenarios, where courageous PR people help courageous journalists on the ground getting their stories and sharing them with their audiences. You may call this a “contribution to public service”. Is it biased? Maybe, but I believe so is every journalistic coverage of such difficult events.
“Tabloid” PR can also be found in a lot of places, but usually it is only effective when dealing with bad or unprepared journalists.
As a final remark, I would like to ask the author one question: if you were given the opportunity to interview the President of a country, with the condition of submiting the text prior to its publication, would you do it? Would it be any different if this “deal” was proposed to you by the President himself or by his PR staff?

By Richard Gomez on 2008 08 29

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