Comments on: The Flak Over Flacks

In The Wake Of Scott McClellan's New Book, Legal Analyst Andrew Cohen Says PR People Are Aghast At The Truth

[tjensen1987]

May I suggest that Mr. Cohen contact his own Public Relations Department for a reaction?


Contacts:
Press: Investors:
Gil Schwartz Martin Shea
Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications Executive Vice President, Investor Relations
[phone] [phone]
[e-mail] [e-mail]

Dana McClintock Debra Wichser
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications Vice President, Investor Relations
[phone] [phone]
[e-mail] [e-mail]

Hmm. An attorney accusing another profession of being liars. That''s a first.

[michelefl]

Mr. Cohen''s words offends me. Most of us in public relations believe in ethical behavior and enjoy success in part, as a result of having integrity. I don''t know anyone who has ever set out to deliberately lie or mislead the public. While it''s true that we are advocates, we also know that protecting the public wefare is the key to long term business success. I am certain CBS employs many people as advocates, whose work encompasses public outreach and public relations. With commentators such as Mr. Cohen, you may need more of us to hep explain that you really are committed to fairness and truth, despite an occasional screw-up. Of course, maybe all Mr. Cohen cares about as a CBS News journalist is promoting controversary that generates more web site hits and sells more airtime. That''s just as fair a generalization as damning all PR people as liars.)

[maureenschri]

The one point I believe McClellan was trying to make, that Andrew Cohen missed, is that multiple publics - the press, Congress, voters, generals, the CIA, etc. - failed to ask the right questions. The lesson I''ve learned through experience, 10 years in reporting and 10 years in PR, is the critical need to ask the right questions, the tough, probing questions that make people better at explaining why they''re taking an action, to rethink what they''re doing or to change the course of their action. The right questions do make people uncomfortable. But that''s my job. Mr. Clemens, why weren''t you doing your job?

[eliskaf]

IOWEIGN, how ridiculous... it''s as if you are saying ethical PR professionals are responsible for SOMEONE else''s lies. I have no ability to influence the truth or lies that come from the leaders of our nation any more than you do. Come on, give me a break! What do you put your life''s blood, sweat and tears into? Let me tear down your credibility for a bit and accuse you of falsities, and see how that feels to you. We don''t protest too much. We''ve been falsely accused with a broad brush in one quick stroke and are just trying to educate an ignorant public about the PR standards. Many have made excellent points about how not all practicing PR people are trained in and accredited by PRSA ... here''s an idea for you, try reading objectively imaginging the tables reversed.

[iwyellen]

"Show me a PR person who is "accurate" and "truthful," and I''ll show you a PR person who is unemployed." This To indict over 100,000 who practice in this profession might as well be an indictment to all elected officials, all CEOS, all television commentators, and just about everyone on this planet. I invite Mr Cohen to my office to interview my staff, my clients, and the media we give information to. It is obvious he needs a lesson on ethics himself.

[kpearsonb]

Calling an entire group dishonest because of one bad apple is like calling all journalists biased, dishonest and sleezy because some are. Andrew Cohen didn''t do his homework and generalized in order to create a sensational report -- but I won''t hold all journalists responsible for his shoddy adn dishonest work.

[wagonermh]

I was shocked and saddened to be watching my favorite TV show Sunday and suddenly find myself and my profession branded as liars who regularly deceive our audiences. Having worked in journalism and public relations for over 30 years, I have never lied for an employer or client nor have I been asked to do so.

Throughout its history, PRSA has always demanded its members adhere to the highest of ethical standards. Not everyone who claims to be a PR person is a member of PRSA (or has any training in the profession) and I''m not sure if Mr. McClellan has ever been a member of PRSA. So to brand our entire professional based on Mr. McClellan''s actions is like branding all journalists and lawyers based upon the actions of a few. I''m very surprised Mr. Cohen chose to make such inflammatory remarks without any evidence to support his rant.

PRSA has always been a tireless advocate for truth and accuracy and anyone who has gone through the accreditation process knows that ethics is a major component of the course. There are PRSA chapters throughout the country whose purpose is to provide training and professional development to our members. Each year, every chapter holds a professional development program on ethics to stay informed on practices. This serves as a reminder that the complex issues with which we deal also carry a responsibility to our audiences to provide truth and accuracy.

Mary Wagoner, APR
President PRSA/Arkansas

[obama8years]

US WINNING

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/31/AR2008053101927.html

[obama8years]

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READ IT if your a true american. All other foreigners and Islamic Radicals, dont bother reading.


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http://www.washingtonpost.com/w


p-dyn/content/article/2008/05/31/AR2
00
80
53101927.html

[cincinnatus9]

Cohen is right up there with Karl Rove when he uses lies and deceit with wagon load of self-righteousness to slam Scott McClellan. I guess that''s what Cohen and Rove call spin, which inside the Beltway is an acceptable form of lying popular with politicians and fawning journalists. Outside the Beltway, it''s just plain lying. How outrageous of Cohen to deny McClellan his First Amendment rights to voice his opinion. But, for CBS editors to allow Cohen to then slander an entire profession, many of whose practitioners are former journalists, makes no sense. How ignorant of Cohen and how abusive of his position at CBS. Abuse like Cohen''s is dangerous, as Samuel Johnson once wrote: "Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful." CBS needs to cleanse itself of this ignorant, foul-belching mule. Cohen obviously can''t be trusted with truth or the First Amendment -- or the integrity of CBS News. Get rid of the bum before he further befouls CBS News'' reputation.

[cincinnatus9]

Cohen is right up there with Karl Rove when he uses lies and deceit with wagon load of self-righteousness to slam Scott McClellan. I guess that''s what Cohen and Rove call spin, which inside the Beltway is an acceptable form of lying popular with politicians and fawning journalists. Outside the Beltway, it''s just plain lying. How outrageous of Cohen to deny McClellan his First Amendment rights to voice his opinion. But, for CBS editors to allow Cohen to then slander an entire profession, many of whose practitioners are former journalists, makes no sense. How ignorant of Cohen and how abusive of his position at CBS. Abuse like Cohen''s is dangerous, as Samuel Johnson once wrote: "Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful." CBS needs to cleanse itself of this ignorant, foul-belching mule. Cohen obviously can''t be trusted with truth or the First Amendment -- or the integrity of CBS News. Get rid of the bum before he further befouls CBS News'' reputation.

[dscochik]

It is pure ignorance to attack an entire profession for the poor practices of a select few!

I am proud to be a graphic designer at a respected DC public relations firm--we only work for clients whose causes we believe in, and whom we believe will benefit the world in some way (sustainable agriculture, children''s health, equity, and education, environmental reform and preservation, and wildlife protection are just a few of the causes we champion). Not only is my firm''s work honest, educated, and influential, but my PR friends with other firms hold the same values and good practices (while promoting other decent & life-changing causes).

One would think Mr. Cohen could possess a less narrow-minded view considering he''s in a profession that has also fell victim to such over-generalization and stereotyping.

[johnkerezy]

Wrong, Mr. Cohen, wrong. There are HUNDREDS of PR professionals who have refused assignments or resigned from their positions rather than lie or allow their values to be subverted.

Here just one: ever hear of Jerald terHorst? He resigned from the VERY SAME position Scott McClellan held rather than work in a Gerald Ford Administration that had pardoned Richard Nixon.

If we -- PR professionals and journalists -- lose our values, we lose everything in the long run. The public''s already-thin belief in what they read, see and hear will disappear.

%u201CNotblue%u201D says that I %u201Crefuse to aknowledge (sic) that most PR is agenda driven and not neccessarily (sic) a representation of ALL THE FACTS.

Everything in life is driven by agenda. But to say that PR is not driven by all the facts is absurd. It is so frustrating that our industry has this ridiculous myth associated with it.

The bottom line is that when it comes to media relations (which is only one small part of the public relations umbrella), it is absolutely necessary to provide all the facts. We live in an age of transparency. If you don%u2019t provide all the facts so that your communications are truthful, it will eventually come back to bite you! Anyone in any communications industry, albeit PR, advertising, marketing, online communications, social media, law, politics, etc. who doesn%u2019t tell it like it really is will eventually be found out. Why be so foolish in the first place?

I recommend a fabulous book. It%u2019s called The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. If we all lived by these four rules personally, professionally and politically, our world would be a much better place!

Gina F. Rubel, Esq.
Furia Rubel Communications, Inc.
www.FuriaRubel.com
Author: Everyday Public Relations for Lawyers

[lpwalton]

I have worked in the PR field for 30 years, but I graduated in Journalism - many practitioners have that background. I have been a member of PRSA since 1985 and accredited since 1987. I was elected to the College of Fellows in 2001.I have served as adjunct faculty for 15 years and I own my own PR firm.

I have been "fired" from a number of gigs over the years because I won''t lie for clients. I have also had clients lie to me and so I severed ties with them.

Assuming that all PR practitioners are liars or "spin" is like other bigotries - like all journalists are alcoholics, all Catholics are pedifiles, and all Muslims are terrorists.

Unfortunately, journalists are capable of being sensationalists, inaccurate, or entertainers without substance. I''ve seen newspaper editors withdraw stories because key advertisers complain.

[oldelta]

I find it incredibly unfortunate that Mr. Cohen is judging the entire public relations industry and all of its professionals by the actions of a few. In no way am I claiming that Scott McClellan is an innocent bystander that got swept up in the lies of his administration...I think he willingly participated and is now trying to capitalize on his insider''s perspective for his own financial gain. But let me be clear on something, this is not the story of the average PR person%u2014hiding shady government secrets and deceiving an entire country of people. That''s not our reality. I work for a nonprofit organization that helps blind people. Through my work I help dispel negative stereotypes about the capabilities of blind people in America. I help educate the public. I educate journalists who have no concept of blindness or this unique population of this country. I present factual information. There is nothing for me to "spin." So, before you lump an entire group of people into one easy-to-defame category, I think you should acknowledge the many hard-working, honest public relations professionals working behind the scenes everyday to make an Honest living.

[oldelta]

I find it incredibly unfortunate that Mr. Cohen is judging the entire public relations industry and all of its professionals by the actions of a few. In no way am I claiming that Scott McClellan is an innocent bystander that got swept up in the lies of his administration...I think he willingly participated and is now trying to capitalize on his insider''s perspective for his own financial gain. But let me be clear on something, this is not the story of the average PR person%u2014hiding shady government secrets and deceiving an entire country of people. That''s not our reality. I work for a nonprofit organization that helps blind people. Through my work I help dispel negative stereotypes about the capabilities of blind people in America. I help educate the public. I educate journalists who have no concept of blindness or this unique population of this country. I present factual information. There is nothing for me to "spin." So, before you lump an entire group of people into one easy-to-defame category, I think you should acknowledge the many hard-working, honest public relations professionals working behind the scenes everyday to make an Honest living.

[oldelta]

I find it incredibly unfortunate that Mr. Cohen is judging the entire public relations industry and all of its professionals by the actions of a few. In no way am I claiming that Scott McClellan is an innocent bystander that got swept up in the lies of his administration...I think he willingly participated and is now trying to capitalize on his insider''s perspective for his own financial gain. But let me be clear on something, this is not the story of the average PR person%u2014hiding shady government secrets and deceiving an entire country of people. That''s not our reality. I work for a nonprofit organization that helps blind people. Through my work I help dispel negative stereotypes about the capabilities of blind people in America. I help educate the public. I educate journalists who have no concept of blindness or this unique population of this country. I present factual information. There is nothing for me to "spin." So, before you lump an entire group of people into one easy-to-defame category, I think you should acknowledge the many hard-working, honest public relations professionals working behind the scenes everyday to make an Honest living.

[oldelta]

I find it incredibly unfortunate that Mr. Cohen is judging the entire public relations industry and all of its professionals by the actions of a few. In no way am I claiming that Scott McClellan is an innocent bystander that got swept up in the lies of his administration...I think he willingly participated and is now trying to capitalize on his insider''s perspective for his own financial gain. But let me be clear on something, this is not the story of the average PR person%u2014hiding shady government secrets and deceiving an entire country of people. That''s not our reality. I work for a nonprofit organization that helps blind people. Through my work I help dispel negative stereotypes about the capabilities of blind people in America. I help educate the public. I educate journalists who have no concept of blindness or this unique population of this country. I present factual information. There is nothing for me to "spin." So, before you lump an entire group of people into one easy-to-defame category, I think you should acknowledge the many hard-working, honest public relations professionals working behind the scenes everyday to make an Honest living.