THANKS to all those who have posted comments and sent e-mail in reaction to the transformation of @play into a blog, or to give feedback on previous column pieces. I apologize if I haven’t been able to respond to some e-mail messages yet because of my backlog.
Here are two reactions to my then column piece and now blog entry “Greenpeace vs Vista, media vs the PR machine.”
The first is from someone in the public relations industry — name and e-mail address withheld upon request:
Hi Joey, your latest blog “Greenpeace vs Vista, media vs the PR machine” is really beautiful! I can sense your anger and you are so right! If all reporters were like you, the more ethical PR persons whose only concern is to communicate legitimate information will have an easier time. In many cases, even ethical PR people must compete with practitioners who can get away with non-news items because of you-know-why. This is one reason why ethical and responsible PR professionals are not believed by clients who argue that that there is really no standard for using press releases except wining and dining and whatever else.
The next one is from Michael Alan Hamlin, managing director of strategic marketing communications firm TeamAsia. Mike gave his permission to have his message published together with his name and e-mail address.
Joey, a tough but excellent piece. Whether journalism or PR, it is the relentless professionals that perform a genuine service to readers and clients. Part of our job is to educate clients on the reality of journalism in the Philippines and the tech sector, because too often it is the myth that is assumed to be the operating principle.
Best, Mike.
How about you, what do you think of the role of PR in the IT industry and other sectors? What can ethical journalists and PR practitioners do to get the message across that not everyone is for sale?
And what will happen now that some PR firms and vendors are also hoping to tap bloggers? Will some bloggers now replicate the sins of unscrupulous members of mainstream media, and be wined and dined themselves or bribed into saying good things about a product, service, person or company? Particularly now that it’s an election year.
