Transparency vs. Spin
A solid post today from Mark Hannah about transparency finds me thinking about the pubic persona of the PR profession.
Many believe we are like PC’s PR flack
…flailing away and spinning things. However, most of us have moved on. Starting with the Tylenol poisonings of years ago, through to recent corporate scandals, we know that right is on the side of the clear.
Hannah is correct. His conclusion is on target; a new standard will emerge.
Before long, it won’t simply be the case that you shouldn’t simply write or say anything you wouldn’t want discovered in the New York Times or online. Instead, in an effort to attain the kind of transparency that is obligatory in a new era of citizen journalism, a new standard will emerge whereby organizations will be compelled not to do anything they wouldn’t want discovered. The organizations that will be truly successful in this environment are those that have integrated transparency as part of their organizational culture and not just their communications strategy.
The power is in owning the story, the facts and stating them truthfully, quickly, clearly and with consideration of all parties.
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