'Don't confuse Public Relations with Media Relations' - CIPR reacts to BBC R4 Media Show
CIPR President Emma Leech Found.Chart.PR, FCIPR has called on broadcasters to better reflect the true nature of public relations, after the BBC Radio 4's Media Show presented PR as a practice focussed on publicity.
The Media Show - released last Thursday - explores public relations exclusively through the lens of media relations and fails to reflect the diverse nature of modern PR practice. The show also describes those working in PR as 'bullies' and 'liars'.
Public relations is not a dark art. We are not bullies and we are not liars. What we deliver goes far beyond media relations.
The truth is tens of thousands of public relations professionals provide ethical and strategic support to businesses of all sectors. We help build trust in organisations by establishing and improving relationships with key stakeholders - not just journalists. Many aspects of PR such as community engagement, digital communication and internal communication involve no media relations.
It's wholly unfair and somewhat naive to label an industry of 70,000 people as dishonest. CIPR members are bound by the Institute's Code of Conduct and adhere to the highest standards of professional practice. Media broadcasters have a responsibility to accurately reflect the reality of modern public relations. We have contacted the show's producers to offer our help with definitions, research and guests for future shows.
CIPR members took to Twitter to condemn the show's narrow interpretation of public relations.
For anyone who listened to The Art of PR episode on @BBCRadio4 The Media Show this week, and would like a real understanding of the art of PR (which isn’t the manipulation and fluffery this episode reinforced stereotypes of) I have some suggested listening:
— Lisa Potter (@crystal23tipps) January 5, 2019
I’d be up for taking part and explaining how PR strategies I’ve delivered have led directly to the arrest and conviction of killers, kept people safe from fire & other incidents and helped public bodies like police & fire deliver their essential services to communities #PR #comms
— Bridget Aherne (@BridgetAherne) January 5, 2019
In this country, we have 2 main membership organisations: @CIPR_UK and @PRCA_UK; and
— Ella Minty (@EllaMinty) January 5, 2019
some eminent academics such as @DrJonWhite @GregsAnne @PRstudies.
Media relations & publicity are tactics. PR is about strategy, leadership and ethics, value and purpose - ask them 👆🏻@BBCRadio4
The CIPR works to improve perceptions of public relations by driving professional standards and through initiatives such as #PRpays. Find out more about #PRPays.