by John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton
Three years ago the first issue of PR Watch issued this call: "Wanted: PR whistleblowers. . . . We accept unsolicited videotapes, memos, minutes of meetings, strategy plans, and other documents." In response we've received faxes, email, packages and phone calls.
"What can you tell me about Contributions Watch?" asked Washington Post reporter Ruth Marcus one recent Friday. "You'd be surprised," we replied.
Serendipity is essential to discovery, and her call was quite serendipitous. A PR whistleblower had just handed us a ream of documents exposing Contributions Watch as a tobacco front group, and we arranged to break the news nationally with the Washington Post.
The call from the Post was not unusual. PR Watch has established itself as an international information center for journalists, citizens and academics investigating the hidden manipulations of the propaganda-for-hire industry. Thanks to our book, Toxic Sludge Is Good For You, inquiries are increasing, and many callers have not just questions but information to share.
It takes guts to be a whistleblower, and it is not to be considered lightly. Those who shine a lamp on the dark world of corporate and government crimes or shenanigans may be putting themselves, their careers, their friendships at risk.
PR Watch is committed to protecting the anonymity of the individuals who brave these risks to provide us with information. To other whistleblowers, our advice is, "Be careful, but keep those calls and letters coming!"
