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PR Watch, Third Quarter 1994, Volume 1, No. 3Flack Attackpublic relationsby John C. Stauber Fifteen thousand PR practioners belong to the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and pledge to abide by its seventeen-point "Code of Professional Standards." The code states that a PRSA member "will only conduct his or her professional life in accord with the public interest."
Smokers' Hacks: the Tobacco Lobby's PR Front Groupsfront groups | tobaccoby John C. Stauber Recent news coverage might lead you to believe that tobacco is on its last legs, as its opponents lobby for aggressive public education and strict new regulations to prevent youthful addiction and to protect the public's right to a smoke-free environment.
Three out of Four Flacks Agree: No Ifs About ButtstobaccoPolling and research by PR Watch shows that three out of four prominent PR firms have no qualms about pushing tobacco addiction.
PR's "Smart Environmentalism"environment | public relationsA June 20 conference on "Smart Environmentalism" featured a scathing attack on environmentalism by right-wing libertarian Jerry Taylor of the Cato Institute. Some PR advisors advocate corporate co-optation of the greens, but Taylor calls for all-out corporate war. Ridiculing the capitol's environmental lobbyists as a bunch of ineffectual "creampuffs," Taylor called on the assembled PR practioners to stand up and fight for their companies, not capitulate.
Book Reviewpublic relationsThank You For Smoking, by Christopher Buckley (New York, NY: Random House, 1994) The current travails of the tobacco industry are hitting the front pages at an opportune moment for ex-smoker Christopher Buckley, the author of a wickedly funny new novel titled Thank You For Smoking.
Smoke and Mirrors: How Tobacco and PR Grew Up Togetherby John C. Stauber The recent public controversy over tobacco companies and their role in misleading the public about the effects of smoking looks remarkably similar to the controversies of 40 years ago.
Hustling for the Junta: PR Fights Democracy in Haitihuman rights | public relationsby Sheldon Rampton, PR Watch Associate Editor On December 16, 1990, Haiti held the first democratic elections in the country's history. Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a radical Catholic priest, received 67 percent of the vote in a field of 23 candidates, and assumed office on February 7, 1991.
Monsanto Hijacks Safe Food Coalitioncorporations | food safetyThe Safe Food Coalition calls itself "an alliance of consumer advocacy, senior citizen, whistleblower protection and labor organizations." Formed in 1987, its members include such public interest heavy-weights as Michael Jacobson's Center for Science in the Public Interest, Ralph Nader's Public Citizen, and Public Voice for Food and Health Policy, which was begun by now Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Ellen Haas.
Hill & Knowlton Uses Environmentalists to Peddle Coppertone™environment | public relationsThe thinning ozone layer leaves us exposed to increasing Ultra Violet (UV) radiation, increasing skin cancer deaths, cataracts and damaged immune systems. Bad news? Not if you are the drug transnational Schering-Plough, or its PR firm, Hill & Knowlton.
Sound Bites Backpublic relationsRoger Ailes, the PR genius behind Ronald Reagan and Rush Limbaugh, now runs America's Talking, the all-talk cable channel which premiered July 4 in more than 10 million homes. Ailes has his own nightly talk hour on the network.
The World Bank, under increasing pressure from activists for its role in worsening third world poverty, economic exploitation and ecological devastation, has hired the PR firm of Herb Schmertz to bolster its image during its 50th anniversary events this year.
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