PR vs journalists debate concludes: we’re on the same side
A debate on journalists and PRs convinced the audience at last night’s Public Relations Institute of Australia discussion that the two professions are indeed two sides of the same coin.
When the question was put to the vote, the proposition was easily carried – although not before some strong hyperbole from both sides.
For: Marie Najjar of Public City kicked off the debate, telling the room: “At the end of the day, regardless of whether you are PR practitioner or journalist, you both need to understand what makes news and understand the audience.”
Against: But Lukas Picton of PR firm Text 100 argued: “The truth is that PR and journalism is not and never will be two sides of the same coin. The objective of PR is to manipulate the public and the objective of journalism is to overcome that manipulation. It should be renamed PM – Public Manipulation.”
How disappointingly sensible and friendly!
Kidding! 😉
What a great night and thank you Tim and Alice for your support. Yes, we are working towards a similar goal but we CAN do this in a mutually supportive way with good relationships to produce quality information for our publics.
Check out Twitter #priadebate – we even made it on the trending list!
Sounds like a rare PR triumph for PRs. In my experience, there are two types of PR – the ones who know what a story is – and the majority.
of course, if there were readers in the room the PRs would have been assasinated. together with the complying journos. PRs should, generally, be ttreated as spin agents of low purpose. like pimps in brothels or dealers in heroin. journos who deal should similarly be tainted. this is one of the great benefits of the web. it shows you is masturbating. and who is assisiting.
Valence, don’t sink this debate into low waters. It was a constructive debate and helpful in establising a spirit of recognised, mutual, credible intent and professionalism between the two factions.
valence – WT? Your assasination plans will wipe out 80% of the journalist population according to research presented on the night. And I’d suggest everyone in the room that night were “readers”
The same side?
‘Journalism’ has nothing to do with the PR side except doubt every utterance and frame. Otherwise we all lose.
THAT WAS THEN— THIS,O,U NO.SHE WAS IN IT