Flack Attack

This issue of PR Watch features several articles on the reinvention of nuclear power PR. A decade ago, the building of new nuclear power plants while calling them a "clean, green energy source" seemed unimaginable. The nuclear industry, however, turned out to have quite a good imagination. Aided by global PR firms, the industry is filing permits for new plants and declaring a nuclear renaissance.

Lisa Rainwater van Suntum from the New York-based environmental group Riverkeeper examines the PR fight over energy giant Entergy's Indian Point nuclear power plant and the Nuclear Energy Institute's current marketing campaign. British-based Corporate Watch's Chris Grimshaw writes about the PR efforts to revive Britain's nuclear industry. The article "In Their Own Words" features a Virginia-based PR firm's description of their work for a nuclear power plant.

Also in this issue, the Center for Media and Democracy's Diane Farsetta looks at the makeover the Indonesian military has received from U.S. PR firms. In post-tsunami Aceh, the same Indonesian military - often pictured handing out humanitarian aid - is escalating hostile operations. And PR Watch editor Laura Miller reports on the Republican- and business lobbyist-driven campaign to save Social Security (by destroying it).

We've also added a couple of new features. CMD office guru Kristian Knutsen shares his favorite recent PR industry press release. And if you missed PR Watch co-founders Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber's recent major media appearances, we've got them here.