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This week at Bradley O’Mahoney
17/02/2012
OUR FOCUS: Does PR need reigning in?
A new report by the Lords Communication Committee has called for the introduction of tougher regulations in the PR industry. The recommendation was included in a report looking into the future of investigative journalism, researched over a six month period.
During that time the committee heard evidence from numerous witnesses, including investigative reporter Nick Davies and Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) chief executive, Jane Wilson.
The report said: “Given the CIPR is a voluntary organisation, its capacity to enforce its code seems, in practice, to be relatively light and, of course, its current reach only extends into a small part of this industry. This has highlighted the real need for the responsible PR industry to strengthen its internal system of self-regulation, and, thereby, increase public confidence in their industry and their work.”
Wilson was quick to respond, saying: “I am disappointed that the report is dismissive of self-regulation by the public relations profession. The Institute’s code of conduct currently regulates more than 9,000 practitioners and although this is only one sixth of all public relations professionals, it is still a significant number.
“Proposals for the registration of journalists has been criticised as impractical, out of tune with the times and unlikely to resolve the misdemeanours of certain parts of the media. Suggesting third party regulation for the public relations industry is equally flawed.”
Ethics and professionalism within media-related jobs are increasingly debated topics, particularly following the beginning of the Leveson enquiry.
What are your thoughts and experiences, does PR need more regulation or does the current system work?
Headlines of the week:
But where does it go during the day?!…“Italian village ‘floats’ in the sky at sunset” (The Sun, 16 February 2012)
FINALLY: Move over Barbie and Ken…
Traditionally, couples celebrating their first wedding anniversary can expect to receive cotton as a gift. However, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are hardly your average man and wife.
In celebration of their upcoming first-year wedding anniversary the royal couple have been immortalised by Barbie maker, Mattel, as a pair of plastic dolls.
The set, intended for adult collectors, will go on-sale in April to coincide with the anniversary and costs £99.99.
While the dolls are not likely to bear the crested royal seal of approval, they have a long way to go to beat some of the other ‘memorabilia’ that has been associated with the Royal Family, including themed condoms and even airplane sick bags!
What do you think of the tribute to the regal sweethearts – plastic fantastic or a royal disaster?
