PRSA, the professional association for flacks and vendors who love us, put out a lengthy email blast today reminding members to please refrain from “Deceptive Practices by ‘Front’ Groups and Individuals Using Blogs, Viral Marketing and Anonymous Internet Postings.”
But instead of calling out even the most egregious, well-known offenders of hidden agendas and identities, PRSA lists “Hypothetical examples provided to help in the front group recognition process”:
Citizens for Tougher Tobacco Laws* (committed to passing legislation in every state that pre-empts all local smoking legislation resulting in lighter state standards)
National Association for Good, Honest, Conservative Politicians* (committed to the defeat of liberal elected officials)
Coalition for Better Food* (sponsored by farm interests dedicated to softening legislation on feed lot pollution)
Automotive Safety Advocates* (coalition of auto parts manufacturers lobbying to lessen regulation on auto repairs at the state level nationwide)
Sustainable Earth* (coalition of business organizations and interests committed to fighting tougher environmental legislation)
PEACE People Everywhere Against Coercive Education* (religious organizations committed to getting prayer into schools)
*Hypothetical organization
The communiqué also includes a rather stern reminder of the PRSA Code, which includes a provision that members shall “disclose or help expose deceptive practices where possible.”
But given that the PR profession’s own leadership took delicate care to do nothing of the sort in its email addressing the issue, one has to wonder:
Disclose and expose to whom?
. . . . . . . . . .
Related posts:
. . . . . . . . . .
