PR Watch, First Quarter 2006, Volume 13, No. 1

Download PR Watch, First Quarter 2006, Volume 13, No. 1

Flack Attack

As the Center for Media and Democracy's Diane Farsetta writes, 2005 was indeed a very false year. In this issue of PR Watch, we've included our annual Falsies Awards. As we enter into another year of dazzling spin, we can see how far we have or haven't come.

We also take a look at how progressives are handling the issue of public relations and message development. Farsetta was invited to participate in the True Spin Conference in early February, which brought lefty activists together to discuss media strategies in Denver, Colorado. She reports back on what she said and heard.

It Was a Very False Year: The 2005 Falsies Awards

by Diane Farsetta

As Father Time faded into history with the end of 2005, he was spinning out of control.

‘True Spin’: An Oxymoron or a Lofty Goal?

by Diane Farsetta

"Officials from giant corporations meet all the time to share their latest and greatest PR strategies," read the conference website. "Now it's our turn."

George Lakoff and the Motive for Metaphor

CMD executive director John Stauber (left) and George Lakoff. (Photo by Randall Wallace)CMD executive director, John Stauber(left)and George Lakoff.

CMD in the News

The Center for Media and Democracy is at the forefront of identifying manipulative PR and propaganda. Here are just a few examples of recent media appearances of the Center and its staff:

  • CMD senior researcher Diane Farsetta appeared on Air America Radio’s “The Al Franken Show.” In the January 24, 2006 interview with Franken, Farsetta discussed the Falsies Awards and the U.S.

Anxious Al Caruba

Alan Caruba, from the CDFE websiteAlan Caruba, from the CDFE website